Chapter 2 Section 2 Buddhist Triple Treasures and Temples

A religion, from its formation to its development, generally needs to meet the following four conditions: (1) Certain teachings are often recorded and disseminated in the form of classics. (2) Specific objects of worship (worship), which are often displayed in specific images.From the perspective of historical development, the image of people is more and more in the majority, and fetishism is in the minority.Many religions worship the founder of their religion. (3) A sizable number of believers organized in an appropriate way—often in hierarchical ways. (4) The unique activity place, that is, the base of the sect.

The above four conditions are all met by Buddhism. The teachings of Buddhism are the most philosophical and academic among the major religions.On the one hand, Buddhism has absorbed the teachings of other sects while creating its own well-thought-out and unique teachings. On the other hand, it has adopted a large number of ancient myths, legends, and stories to make it my own.In the course of its development, Buddhism has many sects and rich classics, which are combined into "Three Cangs", that is, the "Sutra Cang" of the theory of Sakyamuni Buddha, the "Law Cang" of the clear rules and precepts, and the interpretation of Buddha's teachings by later generations. The essence of "On Tibet".The costumes and ritual instruments mentioned in this book all have their own distinct characteristics, and their regulations are mostly contained in the Vinaya, and also mentioned in the other two Tibetans.

Buddhism is a polytheistic religion that has gradually formed. It has a series of large and complex worship objects such as "Buddha", "Bodhisattva", "Arhat" and "Heavenly Ghosts", which are displayed in images such as sculptures and paintings.Because there are many images and they are the main objects of worship of believers, they are often dubbed "image religion".The costumes of these worship objects have their own characteristics, but they can only be briefly mentioned in this book.The various "dharma tools" used to worship them are highlighted in this book.

Buddhist believers are the "seven congregations" that are strictly organized on the basis of clear rules and precepts, that is, two congregations of monks: monks (commonly known as monks), bhikkhunis (commonly known as nuns, not to be called in person); Commonly known as the little monk), novice (commonly known as the little nun, and cannot be called face-to-face), Shichamana (a girl who learns precepts, and is tested for about two years during the transition period from a novice to a bhikkhuni); ) and the upas (believers).Their costumes are clearly regulated, but they are gradually developed and changed in the history of each region.The focus of this book.

Buddhist temples are the main bases of Buddhism.Of course, there are clear regulations on various placements in Buddhist temples.It is also highlighted in this book. From a Buddhist point of view, the above mentioned are Buddha (object of worship), Dharma (doctrine), monks (believers) and temples, which are the necessary conditions for the survival, development and spread of Buddhism.What is described in this book is only the ritual implements and costumes closely related to the Three Treasures and monasteries, and the description is mainly about Sinicized Buddhism.