Expert: Buddhis8 - BuddhismIS.com - 5/31/2010

Question
Hello! Must a buddhist go to the temple? How often? Is it an absolute requirement?

Thanks!

Answer
Dear Tranis,

Thank you for your question. Short answer is an emphatic, NO. It is not a requirement in any way whatsoever. Buddhists go to the Temple or Monastery when they have time to do so. One of the main reasons lay people go is to to offer food to the Bhikku's (Monk's), this is called 'giving alms' as the monks are not allowed to own or cook their own food. Giving alms is considered one of the first steps to Nirvana.

Must a Buddhist go to the Temple? you could first ask yourself: what makes you a Buddhist? When you have searched yourself and got the answer to this question, you will be ready for the next question... As a 'Buddhist' is it necessary to visit the Temple? will I be less 'Buddhist' if I do not visit the Temple? is it necessary to pay homage to Buddha, attend ceremonies, initiations, spend time with the resident monastics (Sangha)? will my practice suffer for it? ultimately these are questions you should ask yourself.

Remember, this is not a Christian religion. The Monks, Zen Priests etc should not be disappointed if you don't attend the Temple or Monastery. You won't lose religious points or get a red mark next your name for not attending. Buddhism is a path of taking responsibility for yourself and your actions, and is very much an individual practice, as such you may only want to visit the Temple or Monastery if it were to benefit your practice in someway. Otherwise, just go on as you were Tranis.


Yours in Dhamma
James Ball
posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2010: http://www.knowbuddhism.info/2010/06/must-buddhist-go-to-temple.html