Pūjā (Buddhism)

Mahayana Buddhism

In Mahayana Buddhism, a puja (Chinese: 供養; Tibetan: cho, Wylie: mchod) often involves ritual offerings, prayers, and the chanting of Mahayana sutras, dharanis and mantras. It is an important practice in Mahayana tradition, where it serves to cultivate a sense of refuge and devotion to the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and other revered figures as well as to cultivate other spiritual qualities. Puja can be performed individually or in a group and is typically conducted in temples or monasteries, although it can also be done in home altars.

Indian Buddhism

Mahāyāna pujas often follow standard liturgical forms, such as the triskandhaka (three-part) and saptānga-vidhi (seven-part) rituals. These are classic Indic Mahayana pūjā forms. They initially derived from a basic three-part liturgy which consists of:

1. Confession of transgressions (pāpadeśanā),
2. Admiration of others’ virtues (anumodana),
3. Dedication of merit (parināmanā).

The second version of the three-part ritual is similar but adds a request to the buddhas to turn the wheel of the dharma (dharmacakrapravartana) instead of merit dedication.

The ritual expanded over time to include more elements. In one sūtra translated into Chinese in 2nd century named the Dispelling the Regrets of Ajātaśatru Sūtra, a five-part puja is outlined which consists of:

1. Refuge in the triple gem,
2. Confession of transgressions,
3. Rejoicing in the virtues of others,
4. Requesting the buddhas to teach,
5. Giving rise to bodhicitta

Over time, this grew into a more elaborate seven-part liturgy (saptāṅgavidhi, saptāṇgapūjā or saptavidhā anuttarapūjā), which includes:

1. Obeisance or praise (Sanskrit: vandanā)
2. Offerings or worship (pūjana)
3. Confession of bad deeds (pāpadeśanā)
4. Rejoicing (anumodana)
5. Request for the buddhas and bodhisattvas to teach the dharma (saṃcodana or dharmacakrapravartanacodana)
6. Entreaty for the buddhas not to enter parinirvāṇa (prārthanā or aparinirvṛtādhyeṣaṇa)
7. Dedication of the merit from the ritual to the enlightenment of all sentient beings (pariṇāmanā)

This seven-part liturgy, notably found in the Bhadacaryāpranidhāna ("Vow of Samantabhadra's Deeds"), a part of the Gandavyūha section of the Avataṃsakasūtra, became a central element in many Mahāyāna practices. In Tibetan Buddhism, the seven part puja is a common structure adopted in many rituals and prayers. It is frequently recited before meditation sessions and is also a key feature in tantric pūjās.

The specific actions in a Mahāyāna puja vary considerably depending on the tradition, but it generally includes offerings such as water, flowers, incense, fragrant food, and light (candles, butterlamps, etc.). These are taken to symbolize respect and reverence for the Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Pujas may also involve the chanting or recitation of specific ritual texts or sadhanas, and the names or mantras of Mahayana Buddhas and bodhisattvas, such as Avalokiteshvara, Amitabha, and Manjushri. All these actions are believed to invoke blessings, purify the mind, and cultivate merit. Pujas may also include other practices like prostrations. The Mahayana view of a puja reflects the ideal of the bodhisattva, as such it is often accompanied by prayers for compassion, for bodhicitta, the attitude to attain Buddhahood for the sake of all beings, and the bodhisattva vows.

East Asian Buddhism

East Asian Buddhist rituals contain many of the classic elements of the Indian puja rituals. For example, many of the elements of the Indian pujas can be found in the Lotus Samādhi outlined by the Tiantai patriarch Zhiyi in his Great Calming and Contemplation. As noted by Swanson, this practice contains the following ten elements:

1. Arrange and purify the room: the room must be cleaned, a copy of the Lotus sutra placed in a dais, incense is lit, and so on.
2. Purification of the body: bathing in scented water and changing to clean clothing
3. Making physical, verbal, and mental offerings: this includes ritual prostration, giving rise to bodhicitta, and the recitation of a prayer to the three jewels.
4. Petitioning the Buddhas and bodhisattvas: one recites several ritual formulas
5. Paying homage to the Buddhas through the recitation of several verses and formulas.
6. The “fivefold repentance”: (1) repenting the offences one has committed through the six senses, (2) ask the buddhas to teach Dharma, (3) rejoicing in the virtue of buddhas and bodhisattvas, (4) transference of merit, (5) sincerely taking the bodhisattva vows to save all beings.
7. Circumambulating a buddha statue while reciting phrases of homage
8. Reciting the Lotus Sūtra (either the whole sutra or in part)
9. Sitting meditation contemplating the nature of all things
10. Realizing the true nature of reality

Gongyo and Otsutome in Japanese Buddhism

Numerous Japanese Buddhist tradition make use of a daily ritual puja liturgies known as Gongyo (勤行, "assiduous practice") or Otsutome (お勤め), which translates to "service." Gongyo / Otsutome is typically performed in the morning and evening in front of a butsudan or Buddhist shrine to create a consistent rhythm of daily religious practice. These rituals are practiced across various schools, including Nichiren Buddhism, Tendai, Shingon, and Jōdo-shū. While specific liturgies vary by sect, the practice generally aims to fuse the practitioner's life with the enlightened life of the Buddha, contributing to the development of faith, wisdom and mindfulness.

The content of the liturgy reflects the unique doctrinal focus of each tradition, drawing heavily from essential sutras. For example, in Nichiren Buddhism, Gongyo often consists of reciting portions of the 2nd (Hoben) and 16th (Juryo) chapters of the Lotus Sutra, followed by the primary chant of the daimoku. The Tendai tradition utilizes an eclectic approach, incorporating elements from the Lotus Sutra alonside Pure Land and esoteric elements. In Shingon Buddhism, the service is an occasion to join the "Three Mysteries" of the Buddha's body, speech, and mind with the practitioner's own functions through specific mantras and meditation. For Jōdo-shū practitioners, the foundation of Otsutome is the Nenbutsu (reciting "Namu Amida Butsu") and selected passages from the Pure Land sutras.

The physical performance of Gongyo emphasizes a correct and respectful posture and attitude, as practitioners are taught to behave as if they were meeting the Buddha himself. Believers may sit in the traditional Japanese seiza (kneeling) style, cross-legged, or in a chair with both feet flat on the ground, ensuring the spine is straight and the hands are placed together in gassho (prayer position). Sensory elements and ritual tools play a vital role in facilitating a focused environment for the service. The ritual often incorporates the striking of a bell to draw attention and remind the practitioner to be focused. Candles are lit to represent the "lamp of Dharma" and the light of wisdom, while the offering of incense serves as a symbolic cleansing of the practitioner's body and mind. Many traditions also include offerings of rice, water, or flowers placed before the altar. In some practices, prayer beads (juzu) are used to count repetitions of chants, serving as a reminder that the practice is an accumulative process requiring dedication.

The overarching purpose of this daily discipline is to cultivate a religious consciousness, eradicate past negative karma, and build a connection with the Buddhas and bodhisattvas. For religious followers, it functions as a daily ritual frame for the day. The morning service sets a correct spiritual bearing for the day, while the evening service provides a moment for reflection and the confession of misdeeds. Every service concludes with the transference of merit, wherein the benefits gained from the practice are dedicated to the enlightenment and salvation of all sentient beings. Nichiren famously compared such persistent practice to flowing water, noting that those who always persist in their faith resemble the steady, unending flow of a stream. Much like the way consistent polishing transforms a dull stone into a brilliant mirror, the daily repetition of Gongyo is intended to refine the practitioner’s heart into a clear reflection of the Buddha's wisdom.