Are Buddhists Idol Worshippers?
It is customary amongst Buddhists to keep Buddha images and
to pay their respects to the Buddha, Buddhists are not idol worshippers.
Idolatry generally means erecting images of unknown gods and goddesses in
various shapes and sizes and to pray directly to these images. The prayers are
a request to the gods for guidance and protection. The gods and goddesses are
asked to bestow health, wealth, property and to provide for various needs; they
are asked to forgive transgressions.
The 'worshipping' at the Buddha image is quite a different
matter. Buddhists revere the image of the Buddha as a gesture to the greatest,
wisest, most benevolent, compassionate and holy man who has ever lived in this
world. It is a historical fact that this great man actually lived in this world
and has done a great service to mankind. The worship of the Buddha really means
paying homage, veneration and devotion to Him and what He represents, and not
to the stone or metal figure.
The image is a visual aid that helps one to recall the
Buddha in the mind and to remember His great qualities which inspired millions
of people from generation to generation throughout the civilized world.
Buddhists use the statue as a symbol and as an object of concentration to gain
a peace of mind. When Buddhists look upon the image of the Buddha, they put
aside thoughts of strife and think only of peace, serenity, calmness and
tranquility. The statue enables the mind to recall this great man and inspires
devotees to follow His example and instructions. In their mind, the devout
Buddhists feel the living presence of the Master. This feeling makes their act
of worship become vivid and significant. The serenity of the Buddha image
influences and inspires them to observe the right path of conduct and thought.
An understanding Buddhist never asks favors from the image
nor does he request forgiveness for evil deeds committed. An understanding
Buddhist tries to control his mind, to follow the Buddha's advice, to get rid
of worldly miseries and to find his salvation. Those who criticize Buddhists
for practising idol worship are really misinterpreting what Buddhists do. If
people can keep the photographs of their parents and grandparents to cherish in
their memory, if people can keep the photographs of kings, queens, prime
ministers, great heroes, philosophers, and poets, there is certainly no reason
why Buddhists cannot keep their beloved Master's picture or image to remember
and respect Him. What harm is there if people recite some verses praising the
great qualities of their Master? If people can lay wreaths on the graves of
beloved ones to express their gratitude, what harm is there is Buddhists too
offer some flowers, joss-sticks, incense, etc., to their beloved Teacher who
devoted His life to help suffering humanity? People make statues of certain
conquering heroes who were in fact murderers and who were responsible for the
death of millions of innocent people. For the sake of power, these conquerors
committed murder with hatred, cruelty and greed. They invaded poor countries
and created untold suffering by taking away lands and properties of others, and
causing much destruction. Many of these conquerors are regarded as national
heroes; memorial services are conducted for them and flowers are offered on
their graves and tombs. What is wrong then, if Buddhists pay their respects to
their world honored Teacher who sacrificed His worldly pleasures for the sake
of Enlightenment to show others the Path of Salvation?
Images are the language of the subconscious. Therefore, the
image of the Enlightened One is often created within one's mind as the
embodiment of perfection, the image will deeply penetrate into the subconscious
mind and (if it is sufficiently strong enough) can act as an automatic brake
against impulses. The recollection of the Buddha produces joy, invigorates the
mind and elevates man from states of restlessness, tension and frustration.
Thus the worship of the Buddha is not a prayer in its usual sense but a
meditation. Therefore, it is not idol worship, but 'ideal' worship.
The Buddha images are nothing more than symbolic
representations of His great qualities. It is not unnatural that the deep
respect for the Buddha should be expressed in some of the finest and most
beautiful forms of art and sculpture the world has ever known. It is difficult
to understand why some people look down on those who pay respect to images
which represent holy religious teachers.
The calm and serene image of the Buddha has been a common
concept of ideal beauty. The Buddha's image is the most precious, common asset
of Asian cultures. Without the image of the Buddha, where can we find a serene,
radiant and spiritually emancipated personality?
But the image of the Buddha is appreciated not only by Asian
or Buddhists. Anatole France in his autobiography writes, 'On the first of May,
1890, chance led me to visit the Museum in Paris. There standing in the silence
and simplicity of the gods of Asia, my eyes fell on the statue of the Buddha
who beckoned to suffering humanity to develop understanding and compassion. If
ever a god walked on this earth, I felt here was He. I felt like kneeling down
to Him and praying to Him as to a God. Once a general left an image of the Buddha as a legacy to
Winston Churchill. The general said, 'if ever your mind gets perturbed and
perplexed, I want you to see this image and be comforted.' What is it that
makes the message of the Buddha so attractive to people who have cultivated
their intellect? Perhaps the answer can be seen in the serenity of the image of
the Buddha.
A life so beautiful, a heart so pure and kind, a mind so
deep and enlightened, a personality so inspiring and selfless -- such a perfect
life, such a compassionate heart, such a calm mind, such a serene personality
is really worthy of respect, worthy of honors and worthy of offering. The Buddha
is the highest perfection of mankind. The Buddha image is the symbol, not of a
person, but of Buddhahood -- that to which all men can attain though few do.
For Buddhahood is not for one but for many: 'The Buddhas of the past ages, the
Buddhas that are yet to come, the Buddha of the present age; humbly I each day
adore.'
However, it is not compulsory for every Buddhist to have a
Buddha image to practise Buddhism. Those who can control their mind and the senses
can certainly do so without an image as an object. If Buddhists truly wish to
behold the Buddha in all the majestic splendor and beauty of His ideal
presence, they must translate His Teachings into practice in their daily lives.
It is in the practice of His Teachings that they can come closer to Him and
feel the wonderful radiance of His undying wisdom and compassion. Simply
respecting the images without following His Sublime Teachings is not the way to
find salvation.
We must also endeavor to understand the spirit of the
Buddha. His Teaching is the only way to save this troubled world. In spite of
the tremendous advantages of science and technology, people in the world today
are filled with fear, anxiety and despair. The answer to our troubled world is
found in the teaching of the Buddha.
May all beings be well and happy & attain the fruits of
Nibbana.
Suranda Weediyage
BA, Tripitakachariya, Dip in Pali/ Buddhism (Pali & Buddhist University of Sri Lanka), HNDBF,
surandalk@gmail.com
http://www.thebuddhadhamma.wordpress.com
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