Buddhist Worship

Buddhists can worship in a group setting, at a temple, at home, or not at all.  In the home, Buddhists will often have a room set aside for worship.  The room would have a statue of Buddha, a candle, and an incense burner.  Buddhist temples may be in any shape or style.  The most well known temples are the pagodas of China and Japan, however not all temples are similar in style.  Another type of Buddhist temple is a stone enclosure around some relic or text of Buddhist teachings.  Five different elements are symbolized in Buddhist temples: fire, air, earth (symbolized by the square base), water, and wisdom (symbolized by the pinnacle at the top).  All Buddhist temples have an image, statue, or representation of some kind, of the Buddha.  

There are many different ways to worship in Buddhism due to the many schools and denominations of Buddhism.  In the Mahayana tradition, buddhists may worship Buddha and the Bodhisattvas.

A mantra is a phrase, words, or prayer that is repeated many times, which has a spiritual effect on a person.  One of the most well known mantras is simply Om.  Om appears at the beginning of another famous mantra, om mani padme hum.  The phrase very roughly translates to "Behold! The jewel in the lotus!", although this translation does not accurately capture the deep spiritual meaning this phrase holds for Buddhists.  Throughout Buddhism there are many different ways that one can worship.  Each person's worship is a very personal experience which they view with great levity.  Worship is a large part of the Buddhist lifestyle.