Worship Techniques Christianity and Buddhism

Christianity is very well known and practiced through out the world. Christianity's worship techniques are some of the easiest to follow and understand. Christianity worship is mainly done in some type of church or more modern temple which resembles a church. In other religions such as Buddhism, worship can be done directly from ones home or at a temple. Christianity worship techniques include to first select a passage from the bible being used. Then the next step would be to prepare oneself mentally and physically for communication with God. This step is sometimes known as the Ready Yourself State. The next step(Read the Word) is to read the word of God from the selected passage from the bible and to let the word of god settle in ones heart. This step is more of a meditation technique to focus ones mind on the word of God. The next step is known as the “Reflection on the Word”. In this step the person meditating should try and make a connection with the meaning of the passage in order to try and start a conversation with God, because that is the ultimate goal. The next step known as the “Converse with God” involves deep heart to heart meditation with God. This step is a desired and fulfilling step because this is when the person meditating declares their faith, love, repent, and asks for forgiveness. The last step is “Conclude and Resolve” In this final worship technique, it is time to thank god for their heart to heart conversation, and also to feel uplifted or energized to keep going forward in life. Much of these Christianity techniques are simple and straight to the point much like in Buddhism. Buddhism on the other hand as stated earlier allows for one to practice worship techniques in their very own home. In order to do this at their home, there much be a designated room specifically for the worshiping to take place and it must contain a statue of Buddha and offerings. Offerings consist of candles, incense, rice, flowers, and water. It is imperative that the room is designed to represent the five elements of worship, earth, water, wisdom, air, and fire. Temples for Buddhism worship are designed with the same type of meaning behind them. The base that the temple sits on is square and is thought to symbolize earth. The peak or the pinnacle top of the temple symbolizes wisdom. These worshiping rooms and temples are a very big part of the worship technique. Worshiping techniques in buddhism usually begin with prostrations which are a form of bowing. Before worship one bows and shows representation of their offerings(the five elements). Next during the worship offerings are offered while reciting specific mantras. After all the offerings that represent the five elements and mantras have been recited, prayers are recited. These prayers can be of Buddhas scriptures, prayers for ones self, or for others. Once the prayers are over, chants and mantras follow will proceeding to meditation and visualization. Meditation during worship can be thought of similar to Christianity of a “heart to heart connection” but with a the mind in connection to follow thoughts that arise to their origins. Meditations can also be on specifically the body or other things such as a light source from a candle that clears the mind. Meditation does not always have to be done sitting down, it can be done lying down or laying down. Before entering the meditation state, one self must be sure their mind is clear of everything and all. As you can see there are some similarities in these two religions when it comes to worship techniques but they do have their differences.

Christian Meditation Techniques. (2008). Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/developing-christian-meditation-techniques-practicing-1333471.html