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BUDDHISM
Buddhist Symbols and Artifacts

Religious Program Specialist 3 & 2, Module 01-Personnel Support
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ORIGIN  OF  BUDDHISM  IN  AMERICA In  America,  followers  of  Buddhism  are  found  primarily  in  the  states  of Utah,   Arizona,   Washington,   Oregon,   California,   and   Hawaii.   American Buddhists are predominately Americans of Japanese ancestry and Southeast Asians who have immigrated to the United States. The first Buddhist church or temple in the United States was consecrated in  San  Francisco  in  1905.  The  Buddhist  Mission  of  North  America  was started  in  San  Francisco  in  1898  and  incorporated  in  1942  as  the  Buddhist Church  of  America. BRANCHES  OF  BUDDHISM After  the  death  of  Gautama,  his  followers  divided  into  two  groups,  the Hinayana (small vehicle) and the Mahayana (great or larger vehicle). Hinayana Buddhism has maintained the original simple and austere rules of discipline left by Gautama. This form of Buddhism is the religion of most of   the   people   of   Burma,   Cambodia,   Sri   Lanka,   Laos,   Thailand,   and Vietnam. Mahayana  Buddhism  expanded  the  original  teachings  of  Gautama.  This group  believes  that  there  are  many  Buddhas  and  saints.  Mahayana  also includes a doctrine of heaven and hell, and salvation by faith and grace. This form  of  Buddhism  has  been  a  major  faith  in  China,  Japan,  Korea,  and Mongolia  for  hundreds  of  years. Tibetan  Buddhism,  a  form  of  Mahayana,  is  called  Lamais  and  is  com- prised of a number of different sects. They range from the Shin sect (notable for  its  love  of  pageantry)  to  the  austere  Zen.  Zen’s  emphasis  on  meditation gives  it  much  in  common  with  Hinayana  Buddhism. ORGANIZATIONAL   STRUCTURE The  organizational  structure  of  Buddhism  varies  with  the  branches. There is usually a national headquarters, which is the Office of the Bishop. Buddhist  churches  are  divided  geographically  into  districts.  Organizations are maintained by each congregation to meet the spiritual, social, and educa- tional needs of the members. Any qualified member of the congregation may conduct  worship  services.  Weddings,  funerals,  and  other  religious  functions are  conducted  by  senior  members  of  the  congregation. Buddhist  Leadership The  titular  head  of  the  American  Buddhist  Church  bears  the  title  of Bishop.  In  parts  of  Asia,  Buddhist  clergymen  are  addressed  as  “Bhikku” and belong to the Buddhist monastic order called the Sangha. WORSHIP  REQUIREMENTS The  place  of  worship  is  the  Temple,  Pagoda,  or  Dagobas.  The  statue  of Buddha  is  the  key  symbol  of  Buddhism  and  is  the  central  figure  in  most temples and pagodas. Reverence should be shown in and around this area as a sign of respect for the Buddhists and their religious beliefs. 2-80







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