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A
ritual (pūjāvidhi or vata) is a series of
actions always carried out in the same way and which are believed to
have some religious effect when done properly. While the Buddha
generally had little regard for rituals, he had no objections to ones
that were harmless and which gave people some comfort. On the other
hand, he also said the notion that performing, participating in or
having rituals done on one's behalf can have a spiritual value
(sīlabbataparāmāsa) is a false belief which
ultimately hinders one's progress on the Path (Dhp.271). For the
Buddha, only ethical behaviour, acts of kindness, calming and
clarifying the mind and developing understanding can bring one closer
to enlightenment. Despite this, devout but misinformed people
throughout the Buddhist world perform various rituals in the belief
that they have a spiritual value. Some of these rituals include doing
large numbers of prostrations, making elaborate offerings before
statues of the Buddha and participating in blessing
ceremonies. While such things can give comfort and reassurance and
mey be motivated by good intentions they all too easily become a
substitute for the practices that really do change us - comforting
the distressed, honesty, integrity, helping the poor, etc. The Buddha
said: ‘The skilful say that purity cannot be gained by one who
seeks it by outward things’ (S.I,169). See Clinging To Morality
and Rules.
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