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Religious Buildings

Temple

Temples, or more broadly temple complexes, are the most common religious setting for Buddhists. Such settings include several buildings, such as meditation or prayer halls, reliquaries and monasteries. Many Theravāda Buddhist temples are associated with a country, which thus influences various factors (e.g., architectural style and language).

Some temple complexes contain shrines or prayer halls, which allow for collective or individual chanting and meditation, as well as halls for instruction or teaching. A lay Buddhist may visit a temple for various reasons, such as to show veneration to the Buddha, for a festival, or to arrange or participate in funerary rites. Temples within villages may also sometimes serve secular purposes; for instance, for markets or non-religious festivals.

Monastery

A monastery (vihara) is the place where a community of male or female monastics reside and devote their life to religious practice. Buddhist monasteries are established to support the endeavours of monks and nuns by providing them with a relatively secluded place usually in natural settings like forests. Some monasteries may be located in or near villages, towns or cities where monks and nuns may simultaneously fulfil their practices of quiet contemplation and serve the spiritual needs of lay supporters. Others may be located in more secluded areas for quieter and more meditative lifestyles. Monasteries traditionally maintain an interdependent relationship with the lay community, as in the case of ����ṅg�� and laity exchanges.

�ճ�ū�貹

A �ٳ�ū�貹 (�������, ����ū�貹 in Sanskrit) is a funerary monument for the cremated remains of spiritually significant people. The original �ٳ�ū�貹s are believed to contain the cremated remains of the Buddha. Today, �ٳ�ū�貹s may contain relics of the Buddha or remains of monks. �ճ�ū�貹s are popular places for Buddhists to visit to show veneration and gain merit.

Etiquette

There are a number of important etiquette practices to consider when entering a Buddhist temple, monastery or �ٳ�ū�貹:

• Show respect towards sacred images and objects (such as depictions of the Buddha).
• Remove shoes and leave them outside the main worship precinct.
• Do not point your feet at people or at the Buddha while sitting etc.
• Shoulders and knees should be covered.
• Do not touch, sit on or climb on a statue of the Buddha.
• Be considerate of gendered interactions with monastics of the opposite gender.

Objects

Offerings

It is common for lay Theravāda Buddhists to decorate a statue, image or altar of the Buddha with various offerings. The most common offerings include flowers (especially lotus flowers), incense, candles, fruit, food and water.

Statues and Images

Statues and images of the Buddha are prolific throughout Buddhist buildings and inside the personal spaces of lay Buddhists. Some of the particularly common depictions of the Buddha, all of which relate to his life story, include: his birth; his ascetic practices, his attainment of enlightenment, his first sermon and his death. The style of the artwork varies across Buddhist countries. The Buddha is also sometimes depicted with non-anthropomorphic symbols, such as a wheel to represent the Dhamma, a bodhi tree, a footprint, and an empty throne.

Begging Bowl

A begging bowl or alms bowl is the bowl used by monastics to A begging bowl or alms bowl is the bowl used by monastics to collect alms or food offerings from lay supporters. Contemporary alms bowls are either stainless steel or aluminium, ranging from 15cm to 23cm in size.

Relics

Relics are the material remains of a person or object considered holy. In Buddhism, relics include bodily remains of the Buddha, the cremated remains of monastics, and any object associated with the Buddha or influential monastics (e.g. robes, bowls, statues, texts). These bodily relics are enshrined in funeral mounds. In some cases, relics are popular pilgrimage sites.

Dress

Generally, lay Buddhists do not have a prescribed dress code. Many tend to dress modestly by covering their shoulders and knees, though specific dress expectations differ from country to country. Often in Theravādin countries, the laity will wear white clothing when visiting a temple or monastery. In some places, special amulets, jewellery or a simple thread may be worn for various reasons (as a part of a protective rite, for example). Buddhist monastics have a special dress code. They are required to shave their heads and wear a monastic robe. The colour of the robe varies according to the tradition and from place to place.

Dietary Practices

There are no prescribed dietary requirements for the laity in Theravāda Buddhism. While vegetarianism is present as a minority practice in Theravāda Buddhist communities. For instance, some lay Buddhists may practice vegetarianism on certain dates of significance. Some may also avoid livelihoods related to meat, such as trading meat or butchery. Laypersons also may avoid the consumption of alcohol as a way to adhere to moral precepts.

Theravādin monastics follow a strict dietary code. Normative monastic code (vinaya piṭaka) interpretation also precludes monastics from purchasing or preparing their own food. This may include requiring that the food and non-water drinks are ‘offered’, e.g., given directly to them within arm’s reach, and not shared with others, in some contexts. Also prohibited are raw and exotic meats as well as alcohol.

This is in addition to restrictions on asking for ‘special’ or ‘fancy’ foods and animal products. While monastics may choose to take cooked meat when offered, it is a requirement that the meat is ‘pure’ (the monastic has not seen, heard or suspected that the animal was slaughtered specifically for them).

Fasting

With the exception of monastics, Buddhists generally do not have any holidays or practices that require prolonged periods of fasting. Since fasting is generally a personal choice, some Buddhists may fast on certain important dates, such as festivals and holidays. Common dates when Buddhists may choose to fast are New Moon and Full Moon Days, as well as Buddha’s birthday, death day, his enlightenment, and the First Sermon.

Monks and nuns may follow special dietary and fasting practices that are specific to their monastic tradition. Theravadin Burmese monastics intermittently fast, with most only eating between dawn and solar noon. Thereafter, monastics will avoid eating except for liquids (e.g., juice) and medicines.