In some other religions like Hinduism and Catholicism, the role of monks and the role of priests are clearly separated. However, in Buddhism, this is not clearly separated.
It is clear what the monks should not practise. DN2 clearly lists a lot of "animal" arts that monks should not practice e.g. prediction, forecasting, dream interpretation, palmistry, geomancy, selecting auspicious dates, horoscopes etc.
It is also clear that monks can ordain other monks, nuns, novice monks, novice nuns.
Does the Vinaya allow or mandate monks to perform rituals and ceremonies like the following?
If it does not, then why do they do it?
- Refuge in Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha ceremony
- Five precepts initiation
- Worship of the Buddha image and stupa
- Veneration of the Bodhi tree
- Blessing by chanting
- Weddings
- Funerals
- Blessing of newborns
- Blessing of the sick (heard this from a Ajahn Brahm talk)
- Blessing using holy water (a Thai tradition)
- Protection by tying blessed strings on hand (a Thai tradition)
- Blessing of objects like car keys (a Thai tradition)
- Protection blessing (Pirit in Sri Lanka)
- Housewarming (heard this from a Ajahn Brahm talk)
- Offerings to the deceased and blessing the deceased
- Worship of the Devas or Brahmas
- Worship of Bodhisattvas
- Worship of the planets (Bali in Sri Lanka)
- Exorcism (Tovil and Atanatiya in Sri Lanka)
Asked by ruben2020
(40064 rep)
Jan 21, 2018, 01:42 PM
Last activity: Jan 21, 2018, 03:17 PM
Last activity: Jan 21, 2018, 03:17 PM