Significance of Religious service
Religious service encompasses various formal activities dedicated to worship across different cultures in South Asia. These services include acts of offering flowers and unguents to Buddha, caring for stupas for forgiveness and merit, and ritual practices involving specific vessels. In Tibetan Buddhism, it includes ceremonial acts performed to control evil and help the community. Additionally, India's history highlights the significance of sculptures as expressions of faith serving spiritual and religious purposes.
Synonyms: Church service, Divine service, Ceremony, Prayer meeting, Liturgy, Ritual, Sacrament, Observance
In Dutch: Religieuze dienst; In Finnish: Uskonnollinen palvelu; In Spanish: Servicio religioso
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Religious service'
Religious service in Buddhism involves ceremonial acts led by Dharmasvamin chos dpal ye shes, aimed at controlling evil and benefiting the community, highlighting the significance of collective well-being and spiritual protection in Buddhist practice.
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) Ceremonial acts performed by Dharmasvamin chos dpal ye shes to control evil and serve the community.[1]
The concept of Religious service in local and regional sources
Religious service encompasses various acts of worship, such as honoring Buddha, caring for stupas, and performing ceremonial practices. It emphasizes acts of faith, respect, and the spiritual significance of sculptures and sacred sites.
From: Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang)
(1) Formal activities dedicated to worship, which require prior washing and bathing.[2] (2) Offering worship and care to the stupa as a way to seek forgiveness and merit.[3] (3) Practices performed by those offering worship at sacred sites, including the stupa, often linked to requesting cures or merits.[4] (4) Acts of worship, including offering flowers and unguents to Buddha as a sign of respect and gratitude performed by the converted disciples.[5]
From: The travels of Fa-Hian (400 A.D.)
(1) Ceremonial practices carried out with specific vessels and appliances, illustrating the spiritual acts performed by the dragon.[6]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) These are being conducted by a specific person at the location, indicating organized spiritual activities for the attendees, and are a part of the gatherings.[7] (2) The activity that the desperate men on the ship wanted to have performed during a crisis.[8]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The use of sculpture in ancient times primarily for spiritual and religious purposes, serving as an expression of faith.[9]