Почитание изображений Будды
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Showing respect and reverence is becoming increasingly less common in our so-called egalitarian society. One reason for this might be the difficulty experienced by some people in distinguishing between an expression of respect and a personal fawning or being overawed by someone or something. Some people feel that lowering themselves before an image or another person is self-denigrating or belittling.
However, in offering respect to someone else, we also indicate that attitude towards ourselves, so our use of body language is a way we can recognise and depict a sense of the sacred through bodily movement and posture. For example, the head, the highest part of our form, can symbolise the intellect, whilst the heart region is taken as the place for devotion, warmth, and trust. The hands express offering and giving, supplication, feelings and intentions, whilst the feet, both literally and symbolically, express our contact with the ground or ‘reality.’
By tradition, we do not point our feet either at people or a shrine, but keep them tucked beneath us. The upper body – the hands, head and chest, are largely used to denote respect; through bowing, inclining the head forwards and down and making añjali.
Making Añjali
In making this gesture of respect, the hands — palm to palm with the fingers extended — are brought together in front of the chest, then raised to the forehead whilst the head is slightly brought forward. It is as if one is symbolically making the gesture to point the hands towards the head – the highest part of the body, home of the wisdom faculty.
Similarly, when chanting, the hands are brought together in the same way, holding them close to the heart region, indicating or expressing the heart centre or feelings, through the hands.
Apart from making añjali in these situations, it is used as a means to introduce yourself into someone else’s conscious space. Very often members of the Sangha use the gesture when first addressing or calling attention to each other – to indicate an intention or wish to speak. It’s rather like saying, ‘excuse me’ or ‘May I?’ It is also another form of greeting used instead of shaking hands; a gesture to convey greetings, a taking one’s leave, a request to speak.
It is commonly used as a preliminary gesture amongst members of the Sangha before, say, approaching and offering to help anyone, i.e., to take their bowl, heavy luggage, or to offer assistance in any way.
Bowing
Another way of expressing respect is that of bowing, and within the Buddhist tradition, there are a number of ways to bow.
Tibetans do a full-length prostration; the Japanese bow from the waist; in Thailand and South-East Asia one sees the kneeling bow, and in Sri Lanka, people offering respect may squat down on the haunches and lower the head.
In this particular lineage, we use the Thai form of bowing, the ‘five-point’ prostration, so called because five areas of the body touch the ground simultaneously.
In the five-point prostration, a kneeling posture is assumed, the hands are placed in the añjali posture before the heart, then raised towards the forehead as the head is tilted forward a little to meet them. The body is then bent from the waist so that each forearm can be placed full-length on the ground, with the head touching the ground between the hands; thus head, forearms and palms of the hands complete the five points of contact.
This gesture is then repeated three times – once each for the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha — and after the last repetition, the head is slightly tilted forward to complete the whole movement.
The physical movements involved can present difficulties for those physically disabled who may need to modify the form (such as bowing from the waist whilst standing up), in the light of the physical limitations.
In essence, however, the gesture should convey a sense of calm composure, because unless done with mindfulness, composure and sincerity, what can be a most elegant expression of respect and reverence turns into a superficial, awkward contortion.
The depth of meaning this gesture conveys is such that if the situation does not allow it to be done mindfully, it is better to avoid it altogether. Furthermore, when bowing, it is important to make the gesture purposefully towards the person or shrine you wish to acknowledge.
This whole gesture can be incorporated into a small but important personal gesture of devotion, made towards a shrine or Buddha rūpa at the start and end of each day, making the gesture as the very first thing to do on rising, and the last to do when going to bed. This composes the mind for sleep and sets the mind aright for starting another day.
In Thailand, the bowing gesture is not only made towards monks and nuns but also towards respected persons. Furthermore, in a culture where it is common practice for people to engage socially whilst sitting on the floor, it is a gentle gesture to soften the body image by slightly stooping when entering an already active social occasion, passing close by, or between conversing people.
This helps to minimise the intrusiveness of one’s presence, and to politely indicate one’s sensitivity to other beings when walking through a group.
A similar attitude is adopted towards Buddha images in that one does not ‘loom’ over them but relates to them with due reverence and respect.
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Редакция перевода от 20.04.2024 15:37