Expert: Anandapanyo Bhikkhu - 9/2/2010

Question
Based on what I have learned about Buddhism, I am very attracted to the basic concepts.  However, I am very "anti-religion" - meaning that I believe that rituals, idols, and ancillary writings are the creation of man - some good and some evil - and therefore do not wish to be forced to practice these things.  I can not therefore, bow down or worship to a statue, picture, symbol of Buddha...  To me, this feels very wrong.  Is this practice part of Buddhism - or is it a "ritual" of man in his attempt to display honor/love/respect for a greater power?  

Answer
Dear John,

Thank you for the opportunity to answer your question.

In answering your question, I must clarify that there are two parts to Buddhism. The teachings and the religion. The religion was made for man, by man. Man is fallible, therefore the religion is fallible. Many of the customs are not even originally Buddhist. For example, lighting candles, incense, meditating and offering flowers, are actually hold-overs from the Brahmin religion. The Buddha never taught these things, but they have remained in Buddhism for a long time.

Many people who say they are Buddhist are Buddhist through customs or birth. They never bothered to understand why they do the things they do. This is no different then Christians or Muslims. So when you ask certain people why this or why that, don't always expect to get a clear precise answer (they might not know).

Most religions teach you to believe first, then eventually understand. Buddhism is the one religion (philosophy, way of thinking) that asks you to doubt first, study, try and then decide if you want to believe. That is, understand first...then believe.

There is a reason we bow to the Buddha. In fact there are many reasons. We are NOT venerating him as a god. We are not bowing to a statue or picture. We are in fact recollecting to his goodness and compassion and rejoicing in his teachings that free us for good from our suffering. We pay respects to Buddha to teach ourselves to be humble, to emphasize through physical actions that we are not the greatest in the world. This action helps us focus and remain his students.

This action is no different to asking a celebrity for an autograph, asking to take a picture with a model, or even seeing a picture of a old family member and being happy. We are using a medium as a reminder of what we like, who we respect and what we aspire to be.

The Buddha gave us teachings to follow, led by example and was worthy of emulation. Therefore, we should learn his teachings, follow his examples and emulate him. However, if we have a high sense of self or ego, we cannot learn. We will be to hard-headed. Just like the student who doesn't respect their professor. Most likely they won't learn anything and waste both their time and the professor's time.

Even in that case, why does the professor stand while we sit? Because it is a sign of respect and it is conducive to our learning.

When we bow to a "statue", we are actually reminding ourselves to follow the Buddha. Since many humans are visual and kinetic learners, it helps for us to see something and commit an action. That way, it become a part of us.

I hope I have answered your question.

Sincerely,

Phra Anandapanyo

PS. You don't have to bow to the Buddha or anyone else. But I would recommend that you start studying what he taught. The bowing will come after understanding.