By Mr. Luo, Sales Manager

Let me begin with a story:
A child was walking toward a cliff, about to fall into the abyss. Seeing this, the Buddha immediately called out, “Child, stop! It’s dangerous ahead!”

But the child didn’t look up and continued walking, as though something desirable awaited him in the abyss.
Then the Buddha had an idea. He clenched his empty hand into a fist and said, “Come here! Uncle has candy. Come to me, and I’ll give it to you.”
The child turned around, walked away from the cliff, and went straight to the Buddha.

Buddhism often teaches that worshipping the Buddha may bring wealth, and praying to Guanyin may grant a child. However, bowing and praying will not directly bring material benefits. Understanding Buddhist teachings reveals that everything is governed by cause and effect. Praying to the Buddha does not mean every wish will be granted, nor is there an external god-like figure controlling one’s destiny or wealth. The true meaning of bowing is to overcome arrogance within oneself, and the purpose of worshipping the Buddha is to remind us of the principles of Dharma.

The belief that bowing and praying alone will fulfill wishes is like the candy in the Buddha’s hand—it is superstition, not reality. Yet, it can be the only way to prevent the mind from falling into the abyss of suffering.

When visiting a temple people offer incense, flowers, and light lamps to worship the Buddha. Some Western religious followers may accuse Buddhists of idolatry and superstition. In truth, the Buddha is our teacher, a sage who attained ultimate enlightenment. Bodhisattvas are also beings on the path to Buddhahood. They are our guides and leaders.

Respecting the Buddha and Bodhisattvas requires expression, much like showing courtesy to our parents. During the Buddha’s lifetime, people could directly express their reverence. However, since Śākyamuni Buddha has entered nirvana, and other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas reside in different realms, we use paintings, sculptures, woodcarvings, and stone statues to represent them as objects of reverence. In a similar manner, the design of a Columbarium also reflects reverence and remembrance through thoughtful Columbarium design, honoring those who have passed.

We pay respect not to the paper, clay, wood, or stone itself, but to what these objects represent—the image of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Similarly, we express love for our country by honoring the national flag. Is saluting the flag during a升旗仪式 considered superstition?

As for incense, flowers, and lamps, these were used in ancient India to make offerings to the Buddha. Light symbolizes wisdom and illumination, while flowers represent purity and fragrance. By making these offerings, devotees express reverence and also seek to attain clarity and purity through the Buddha’s teachings.

It is not that burning incense lets the Buddha smell the fragrance, or that lighting lamps helps him see. Don’t Western religions, especially Catholicism, also use such rituals? These are common practices across religions.

Worshipping the Buddha requires sincerity and concentration. If one’s mind wanders or one talks during worship, it shows disrespect and undermines the true purpose of the practice.
Repentance must come from the heart. Practicing Buddhism at home should not interfere with daily work and family responsibilities.

Customs such as burning joss paper, fortune-telling, and divination are not part of Buddhism. True Buddhists should avoid such superstitious practices.

Zen Buddhism emphasizes understanding one’s mind and realizing one’s true nature. Seeking from within the heart is key. Worshipping the Buddha is a form of respect, while learning Buddhism means embracing its teachings—understanding cause and effect, knowing that good and evil have consequences, and nurturing a heart inclined toward kindness and virtue.

Superstition often arises when unscrupulous individuals exploit Buddhism for profit. Some misguided believers engage in harmful actions like killing, cheating, and exploiting others, yet still perform superstitious rituals hoping for blessings and absolution.

All blessings arise from the heart.
When sought sincerely from within, nothing remains beyond reach.

About the Author: Mr. Luo is the Sales Manager at HuaHeng Columbarium Factory, Jiangxi, China, a manufacturer specializing in the Columbarium design and production of high-quality Columbarium solutions, including personalized Columbarium niche offerings.