New Holy Cribs: The Vihara

Summary

This video offers a warm, insightful tour of the London Buddhist Vihara, guided by Hivin, a Buddhist monk. He introduces viewers to various aspects of Buddhist practice, from the significance of taking off shoes as a symbol of purity, to the shrine room where worship and meditation take place. The video highlights key Buddhist teachings, such as the Eightfold Path and the importance of meditation, along with rich Buddhist symbols like the Dhamma Wheel, stupas, and lotus flowers. The tour also includes the library, prayer wheels, and the meeting hall, emphasizing the spiritual community's role in supporting the Sangha.

Takeaways

• 😀 Vihara is the proper name for a Buddhist temple, which serves as a monastery where monks, called bhikkhus, live and meditate.
• 😀 Shoes are removed before entering the vihara to maintain cleanliness and symbolize purity.
• 😀 The shrine room is the most important part of a vihara, where Buddhists perform puja (worship) and meditate in front of a statue of the Buddha.
• 😀 The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was a royal prince who discovered the truth about how to live a happier life and is not considered a god.
• 😀 Offerings such as flowers, candles, incense, fruit, and rice are made to the Buddha’s statue as a mark of respect.
• 😀 Meditation is central to Buddhism and helps practitioners understand their minds and achieve peace and enlightenment.
• 😀 Bells, including a bowl-shaped one, are used to signal the start or end of meditation, helping to calm the mind and focus.
• 😀 The Dhamma Wheel, with eight spokes, represents the Noble Eightfold Path, which guides Buddhists on how to live a righteous life.
• 😀 Stupas, often containing holy objects or relics of the Buddha, symbolize the journey towards enlightenment and serve as a reminder of the Eightfold Path.
• 😀 Prayer wheels and flags are used to spread blessings, with sutras written on them to bless the surrounding area as they spin or blow in the wind.
• 😀 The five colors of the Buddhist flag—blue, yellow, red, white, and orange—represent key values such as peace, wisdom, and unity in Buddhism.
• 😀 Lotus flowers symbolize purity and are a common motif in Buddhist art, representing the ability to rise above challenges and remain pure.

Q & A

What is the proper name for a Buddhist temple?

The proper name for a Buddhist temple is a 'vihara.' A vihara is a Buddhist monastery, a place where Buddhist monks live.

Why do people remove their shoes when entering a vihara?

People remove their shoes to keep the inside of the building as clean as possible. It also symbolizes purity.

What does the term 'bhikkhu' refer to?

'Bhikkhu' is the proper term for a Buddhist monk. Bhikkhus are individuals who have devoted themselves to a spiritual life of simplicity and meditation.

Who was the Buddha, and what is his significance in Buddhism?

The Buddha, originally Siddhartha Gautama, was a royal prince who lived in Nepal about 2,500 years ago. He is considered the 'Enlightened One' because he discovered the truth about the world and how to live a happier life. His teachings, known as the dhamma, form the foundation of Buddhism.

What is the purpose of the puja in a vihara?

Puja is a form of worship and meditation in front of a Buddha statue. It involves offering items like flowers, candles, incense, fruit, and rice to show respect for the Buddha.

What is meditation in Buddhism, and why is it important?

Meditation in Buddhism involves concentrating or deeply thinking to understand the workings of the mind. It helps practitioners see the world clearly, understand the truth, and become happier, as the Buddha did.

What is the Dhamma Wheel, and what does it represent?

The Dhamma Wheel, also known as the Eightfold Path, is an important symbol in Buddhism. It represents the eight principles that the Buddha taught to live by: Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.

What is a stupa, and what is its significance?

A stupa is a structure that may contain holy books or objects associated with the Buddha, such as his hair. Its eight rings represent the Eightfold Path, and the shape points towards enlightenment.

What role do prayer wheels and flags play in Buddhism?

Prayer wheels contain sutras, the holy texts of Buddhism. When spun, they release blessings into the air. Sutras are also printed on flags, and when the wind blows, it spreads the blessings.

What does the lotus flower symbolize in Buddhist art?

The lotus flower symbolizes purity in Buddhism because it grows out of the mud but rises above it, remaining beautiful. It serves as a reminder to maintain purity in an impure world.

What is the Tripitaka, and why is it important in Buddhism?

The Tripitaka is a collection of the Buddha's teachings, considered the most important Buddhist scriptures. These texts were originally written in Pali and traditionally recorded on palm leaves.

What is the purpose of the meeting hall in a vihara?

The meeting hall is used for various events such as festivals and fundraisers for charity. It serves as a space for the community (the Sangha) to gather and support the bhikkhus who help teach and guide Buddhists.