Instructions for Puja Practice
Pujas are a traditional form of Buddhist practice. The word puja derives its meaning from the Dravidian language and can be translated as “to do with flowers”. When the Buddha travelled, the custom developed to offer flowers on his arrival in a particular place. The earliest pujas consisted of offering flowers, light and incense in front of a symbol or image of the Buddha.
When pujas are practised mindfully, vast merit can be shared with all beings for the purpose of their enlightenment. The puja is a powerful method of brightening the mind and the bright mind can remove defilements of greed, hatred and ignorance.
For maximum benefit to the Buddha Dhamma practitioner, the puja should not be treated as a mindless ceremony, but be practised as a meditation with the development of continuous mindfulness.
Pujas help us appreciate the Buddha Dhamma texts and to learn them by recitation. This is a meritorious way to develop the qualities of scholarship.
In the Buddhist tradition, we generate powerful merit by doing pujas and stating truth asseverations, and then dedicate the merit towards whatever aim we wish to achieve.
There are many different pujas available and two of the most commonly practiced ones are provided on this website.
Please view the Instructions for Pujas video (below) which gives a brief introduction to puja practice:
Amitabha Buddha Thanka
Sukhavati Puja (Pureland Puja)
The Buddha Amitabha, (Buddha of Immeasurable Length of Life), dwells in his Pureland Heaven world with countless beings in his care and protection. Performing the Sukhavati Puja correctly makes causes to be born in the Pureland Heaven at a future time and helps us to develop Bodhisattva qualities in ourselves this life. We can increase our long life and wellbeing through receiving the Blessings of Buddha Amitabha.The merits created by doing the puja we can share with others for their wellbeing and happiness.
Maintaining a wholesome, clear mind during the practice is most important to receive the Blessings of Buddha Amitabha. The puja instructions are contained in the prayer ritual which you can download from this page. Join in our group practice video which has been recorded during the period of COVID 19 social isolation so that those of us who are at home can still be part of a group practice.
Download The Sukhavati-Vyuha Sutra Puja Prayer Ritual (PDF)
Medicine Buddha Puja (Bhaisajya Guru)
Performing the Medicine Buddha Puja correctly is beneficial for generating causes for good health for ourselves, for destroying negative causes of ill health and for bringing forth our karma for good health through receiving the Blessings of the Medicine Buddha. (Bhaisaijya Guru).
Through our puja practice we can also request Blessings for the good health of others and share the merit produced in the puja with them for their good health and removal of sickness.
Maintaining a wholesome, clear mind during the practice is most important to receive the Blessings of Medicine Buddha. The puja instructions are contained in the prayer ritual which you can download from this page. Join in our group practice video which has been recorded during the period of COVID 19 social isolation so that those of us who are at home can still be part of a group practice.
Download The Bhaishajya Guru Vaidureya Prabha Rajaya Tathagata Puja Prayer Ritual (PDF)
Medicine Buddha
