AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE DISCOURES ON WORSHIP IN THE THERAVADA BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES

Abstract

Objectives of the Research: 1) to study worship practices in the pre-Buddhist era in the Indian subcontinent; 2) to study worship practices in the Theravada Buddhist scriptures; and 3) to analyze the methods and principles of worship in the Theravada Buddhist scriptures.

This research is a qualitative study that examines data from the Tripitaka, commentaries, and the Dhamma, along with various research documents. The data has been collected and analyzed the methods and principles of worship have been summarized to produce the research findings.

The findings can be summarized as follows
1. Animal sacrifice in the pre-Buddhist era, which existed before the Buddha appeared in the l world and continued into the Buddhist period, had two main forms: (1) Sacrifice using living beings, such as cows, horses, goats, sheep, and chickens, as well as common offerings like ghee, oil, and honey. (2) Fire worship, which involved offering sacrificial items (such as ghee, milk, and grains) into a ritual fire.
2. In the Theravada Buddhist scriptures, offerings are divided into two types: (1) Material offerings (Amisauja) worship through material items such as flowers, incense, candles, food, or other offerings, including acts of paying respect and chanting praises to the Triple Gem and to benefactors. (2) Practice offerings (Paṭipattipūjā) worship through practicing the teachings, namely morality (Sīla), concentration (Samādhi), and wisdom (Paññā), to free oneself from the cycle of rebirth (samsara).
3.From the study, it can be analytically concluded that material offering (Āmisapūjā) refers to worship through material objects such as flowers and fragrances, without killing or harming any living beings. This is considered wholesome, especially when one pays homage to persons or objects worthy of veneration; it brings immeasurable merit and leads to a fortunate rebirth in the heavenly realm.

Practice offering (Paṭipattipūjā) refers to practicing the teachings well proclaimed by the Buddha. For the monastic community, this includes morality, concentration, and wisdom; for householders, it includes generosity, morality, and mental cultivation (meditation). The Buddha highly praised this form of worship because it shortens the cycle of samsara more than material offerings and enables one to attain the path, fruition, and Nibbana in this very life.