„Meritorious-Buddhism“ is a fascinating exploration of the intangible aspects of Buddhist culture that has been revealed through archaeological evidence. This study focuses on inscriptions from ancient Sri Lanka, which have provided invaluable insight into the Buddhist ideological framework that has changed and evolved through the Vassāvāsa-ritual. It was a set of rituals that were believed to bring about meritorious deeds. Through this study, we gain a greater understanding of the beliefs held by ancient Buddhists, which can help us to understand the history and development of Buddhism.
Buddhism is a religion that strongly encourages its followers to accumulate merits through ritualized behavior. In Buddhist societies, these accumulated merits shape the way the community interacts and functions. Through their set of Vassāvāsa-Rituals, followers strive to accumulate these merits, which are a key part of the Buddhist community and have a major impact on the way society works. The accumulation of merits helps followers become better people and provides them with the karmic power to reach their religious ultimate goals.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Meritorious-Buddhism: An unseen aspect of the Vassāvāsa-ritual
- Religious orientation in Buddhism
- A remarkable insight
- The religious dimension of the inscriptions
- Ancient monastic complexes
- Preconditions for acclimatization of Vassāvāsa
- cultural assimilation and the Influence of the monsoon pattern
- Religious ideology as an imaginary reflection of Socio-economic system
- The monsoon shaped from `itinerant` to ‘residential’: An Overview The Vassāvāsa
- The acclimatization of the Vassāvāsa-rituel in Sri Lanka
- The Vassāvāsa shaped a ritualized community
- Expanding of Buddhist monasteries by accumulating „Merit“
- Performance of rituals and ceremonies as tangible and intangible assets
- Pavārana as „merit-based income“
- Ariyavamsa ceremony: desire for Merit
- Clothing design Faith
- Kathina-Cīvara and Bhikkhu-sangha as symboles of Arahath
- A fiction`s sewing
- “Holly-distance” leads to venerate
- conclusion: Meritorious-Buddhism as shifting ideologies
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to explore the unseen aspects of the Vassāvāsa ritual in Sri Lanka, focusing on its evolution and impact on Buddhist society. The research investigates the ritual's adaptation to monsoon conditions, the resulting structural changes within Buddhist communities, and the archaeological evidence supporting these transformations. The study utilizes inscriptions and archaeological data to reconstruct a religious history of the region. * The role of merit in Buddhist society and its connection to the Vassāvāsa ritual. * The adaptation of the Vassāvāsa ritual to the monsoon season and its impact on monastic life. * The evolution of Buddhist communities and their relationship to the Vassāvāsa ritual. * The use of inscriptions and archaeological evidence to understand the religious history of Sri Lanka. * The interplay between religious ideology and socio-economic systems in shaping Buddhist practices.Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Meritorious-Buddhism: An unseen aspect of the Vassāvāsa-ritual: This chapter introduces the concept of meritorious Buddhism and its significance within Buddhist societies. It emphasizes the accumulation of merit through various acts and its role in achieving spiritual progress. The chapter then introduces the Vassāvāsa ritual, a practice observed by Buddhist monks during the rainy season, and its importance within the Vinaya. The research problem is presented, focusing on the adaptation of the ritual to monsoon conditions, the consequent structural changes within Buddhist communities, and how these changes can be understood through archaeological findings. The chapter lays the groundwork for exploring the interplay between religious practice, environmental adaptation, and socio-economic structures in shaping Buddhist traditions. The monsoon shaped from `itinerant` to ‘residential’: An Overview The Vassāvāsa: This chapter delves into the historical context of the Vassāvāsa ritual, tracing its origins and evolution. It examines how the Buddha's advice to monks to reside in one place during the rainy season led to a shift from an itinerant to a more settled lifestyle. This section explores the impact of the monsoon season on the lives of Buddhist monks and the development of monastic communities. The chapter utilizes Pāli literature and historical accounts to illustrate the transition and its implications for Buddhist practice and social organization. The adaptation to the monsoon season becomes a central theme, highlighting the ritual's role in shaping Buddhist communal life. The acclimatization of the Vassāvāsa-rituel in Sri Lanka: This chapter examines the acclimatization of the Vassāvāsa ritual in Sri Lanka, focusing on the ways in which it shaped the ritualized community. It details how the accumulation of merit through participation in Vassāvāsa and related ceremonies contributed to the expansion of Buddhist monasteries and the development of a more established monastic system. Specific examples like the Pavārana and Ariyavamsa ceremonies are analyzed, highlighting their economic and social significance. The chapter integrates archaeological and textual evidence to illustrate the impact of the ritual on the growth and organization of Buddhist monasteries and the broader societal structure. Clothing design Faith: This chapter explores the symbolic significance of clothing, specifically the Kathina-Cīvara robes, within Buddhist monastic tradition. It examines the robes' association with the Arahath and their role in representing monastic ideals. The chapter delves into the practices surrounding the creation and distribution of these robes, illustrating the intersection between material culture, religious symbolism, and social hierarchy. The concept of “holy distance” and its impact on veneration is also explored, highlighting the complex relationship between material objects and religious practice.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Meritorious Buddhism, Vassāvāsa ritual, monsoon season, Sri Lanka, Buddhist monasteries, Vinaya, Brahmi inscriptions, archaeological evidence, religious adaptation, socio-economic systems, merit, monastic life, cultural assimilation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Meritorious Buddhism in Sri Lanka and the Vassāvāsa Ritual
What is the main topic of this study?
This study explores the unseen aspects of the Vassāvāsa ritual in Sri Lanka, focusing on its evolution, impact on Buddhist society, and adaptation to monsoon conditions. It investigates the ritual's influence on the structure of Buddhist communities and utilizes inscriptions and archaeological data to reconstruct a religious history of the region.
What is the Vassāvāsa ritual?
The Vassāvāsa ritual is a practice observed by Buddhist monks during the rainy season, involving residing in one place. This study examines how the adaptation of this ritual to the monsoon season shaped Buddhist communities and their practices.
What is "Meritorious Buddhism"?
“Meritorious Buddhism” refers to the accumulation of merit through various acts and its role in achieving spiritual progress. The study highlights the significance of merit accumulation within the Vassāvāsa ritual and its impact on the development of Buddhist monasteries.
How did the monsoon season affect the Vassāvāsa ritual and Buddhist communities?
The monsoon season's influence led to a shift from an itinerant to a more residential lifestyle for Buddhist monks. This transition resulted in structural changes within Buddhist communities, the growth of monasteries, and the development of a more established monastic system. The ritual became a key element in shaping Buddhist communal life.
What sources were used in this research?
The research utilizes a combination of Pāli literature, historical accounts, inscriptions (including Brahmi inscriptions), and archaeological evidence to understand the evolution of the Vassāvāsa ritual and its impact on Buddhist society in Sri Lanka.
What is the significance of the Kathina-Cīvara robes?
The Kathina-Cīvara robes hold symbolic significance within Buddhist monastic tradition, representing monastic ideals and associated with the Arahath. Their creation and distribution illustrate the intersection of material culture, religious symbolism, and social hierarchy.
What role did merit play in the expansion of Buddhist monasteries?
The accumulation of merit through participation in Vassāvāsa and related ceremonies, such as the Pavārana and Ariyavamsa ceremonies, significantly contributed to the expansion of Buddhist monasteries and the development of a more established monastic system. These ceremonies had economic and social significance.
How does this study utilize archaeological evidence?
Archaeological findings, alongside textual evidence, are crucial in reconstructing the religious history and demonstrating the impact of the Vassāvāsa ritual on the growth and organization of Buddhist monasteries and broader societal structures.
What are the key themes explored in this study?
Key themes include the role of merit in Buddhist society, the adaptation of the Vassāvāsa ritual to the monsoon season, the evolution of Buddhist communities, the interplay between religious ideology and socio-economic systems, and the use of inscriptions and archaeological evidence to understand the religious history of Sri Lanka.
What is the overall conclusion of this study?
The study concludes by examining Meritorious-Buddhism as shifting ideologies, demonstrating the dynamic relationship between religious practice, environmental factors, and socio-economic structures in shaping Buddhist traditions in Sri Lanka.
- Quote paper
- Samiddhi Batuwangala (Author), 2023, Meritorious-Buddhism. An unseen aspect of the Vassāvāsa-ritual, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1415244
