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fTo what extent do you agree with the following statement: “A true Bodhisattva would not need
objects and places of worship.”
One reason why Bodhisattvas wouldn’t need a place of worship is because they would be able to
meditate everywhere. Bodhisattvas have already achieved the Six Perfections, one of which is
meditation, therefore have perfect control over meditation and wouldn’t need to be in a shrine or
temple in order to concentrate on meditating, which is a form of Buddhist worship.
Some may argue that Bodhisattvas may require mal beads while meditating in order to count the
number of times a mantra is recited whilst chanting. However, chanting mantras is for the purpose
of making one more receptive to the Buddha’s teachings, hence Bodhisattvas do not need to chant
as they are enlightened and have embodied Buddhist teachings.
A reason why Bodhisattvas wouldn’t need an object of worship is that they have achieved the
ultimate understanding of the Dhamma. Many objects of worship, such as the Kasina, are a
reminder to Buddhists of the Dhamma, which in the specific case of the Kasina is sunyata—the
teaching of emptiness. However, such objects aren’t needed by Bodhisattvas since they have
thorough understanding of the Dhamma and don’t need to be reminded of it.
Some may argue that Bodhisattvas need objects of worship in order to make offerings to the Buddha
to express their veneration for him, such as incense and flowers. However, in Mahayana Buddhism, a
Bodhisattva is seen as an equal to a Buddha as they are enlightened beings staying in Samsara in
order to help others achieve enlightenment, hence don’t need to make offerings to the Buddha.
In conclusion, a true Bodhisattva that embodies the Dhamma and has mastered the Six Perfetions
won’t need a place of worship since they have mastered meditation . They also won’t need objects
of worship that are needed for Buddhists practices such as chanting since they fully understand the
Dhamma. Furthermore, they don;’t need objects of worship in order to remind themselves of
Buddhist teachings as Bodhisattvas have the complete understanding of the Dhamma already.
fTo what extent do you agree with the following statement: “A true Bodhisattva would not need
objects and places of worship.”
One reason why Bodhisattvas wouldn’t need a place of worship is because they would be able to
meditate everywhere. Bodhisattvas have already achieved the Six Perfections, one of which is
meditation, therefore have perfect control over meditation and wouldn’t need to be in a shrine or
temple in order to concentrate on meditating, which is a form of Buddhist worship.
Some may argue that Bodhisattvas may require mal beads while meditating in order to count the
number of times a mantra is recited whilst chanting. However, chanting mantras is for the purpose
of making one more receptive to the Buddha’s teachings, hence Bodhisattvas do not need to chant
as they are enlightened and have embodied Buddhist teachings.
A reason why Bodhisattvas wouldn’t need an object of worship is that they have achieved the
ultimate understanding of the Dhamma. Many objects of worship, such as the Kasina, are a
reminder to Buddhists of the Dhamma, which in the specific case of the Kasina is sunyata—the
teaching of emptiness. However, such objects aren’t needed by Bodhisattvas since they have
thorough understanding of the Dhamma and don’t need to be reminded of it.
Some may argue that Bodhisattvas need objects of worship in order to make offerings to the Buddha
to express their veneration for him, such as incense and flowers. However, in Mahayana Buddhism, a
Bodhisattva is seen as an equal to a Buddha as they are enlightened beings staying in Samsara in
order to help others achieve enlightenment, hence don’t need to make offerings to the Buddha.
In conclusion, a true Bodhisattva that embodies the Dhamma and has mastered the Six Perfetions
won’t need a place of worship since they have mastered meditation . They also won’t need objects
of worship that are needed for Buddhists practices such as chanting since they fully understand the
Dhamma. Furthermore, they don;’t need objects of worship in order to remind themselves of
Buddhist teachings as Bodhisattvas have the complete understanding of the Dhamma already.
