What Does the Image Consecration Ritual Do?

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sukhamanveti
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What Does the Image Consecration Ritual Do?

Post by sukhamanveti »

Hello.

What exactly is the aim of the image consecration ritual in Theravada? Is it intended to accomplish something in the Buddha image, in the participants, or both? Is it just a commemoration of the Buddha? Does it make a statue spiritually potent like a relic? Does it affect the merit of offerings? Is it perceived differently in different Theravada countries? Do the commentaries say anything about it?

I have been wondering about this for some time.

Thank you to the person with the patience and the knowledge to answer this for me.

Ed
Sīlaṃ balaṃ appaṭimaṃ.
Sīlaṃ āvudhamuttamaṃ.
Sīlamābharaṇaṃ seṭṭhaṃ.
Sīlaṃ kavacamabbhutaṃ.


Virtue is a matchless power.
Virtue is the greatest weapon.
Virtue is the best adornment.
Virtue is a wonderful armor.

Theragatha 614


Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṃ,
kusalassa upasampadā,
Sacittapariyodapanaṃ,
etaṃ buddhāna sāsanaṃ.


Refraining from all wrong-doing,
Undertaking the good,
Purifying the mind,
This is the teaching of the buddhas.

Dhammapada v. 183/14.5
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SeerObserver
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Re: What Does the Image Consecration Ritual Do?

Post by SeerObserver »

Well some statues actually have relics embedded within. There are many statues with sarira, bones, etc. embedded. From the practitioner's point of view, there are people of the belief that devas will reside nearby. On the other hand, merit fields are be created by other means and many people feel that is more important/potent than embedding relics which may or may not change the constitution of the congregationers.
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kc2dpt
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Re: What Does the Image Consecration Ritual Do?

Post by kc2dpt »

sukhamanveti wrote:What exactly is the aim of the image consecration ritual in Theravada?
To consecrate images. :tongue:
- Peter

Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
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gavesako
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Re: What Does the Image Consecration Ritual Do?

Post by gavesako »

Becoming the Buddha: The Ritual of Image Consecration in Thailand (Buddhisms: A Princeton University Press Series) (Hardcover)
by Donald K. Swearer

http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Buddha-C ... 0691114358" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Has anyone read this book?

Or this one:

Relics of the Buddha (Buddhisms: A Princeton University Press Series) (Hardcover)
by John S. Strong
Bhikkhu Gavesako
Kiṃkusalagavesī anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ pariyesamāno... (MN 26)

Access to Insight - Theravada texts
Ancient Buddhist Texts - Translations and history of Pali texts
Dhammatalks.org - Sutta translations
thornbush
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Re: What Does the Image Consecration Ritual Do?

Post by thornbush »

Hehehe I recall this thread on another Forum :rolleye: :jumping:
http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/index. ... opic=77613" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Happy reading :tongue:
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sukhamanveti
Posts: 169
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:33 pm
Location: U.S.A.

Re: What Does the Image Consecration Ritual Do?

Post by sukhamanveti »

Thank you all for the information.

Peter, you crack me up. :jumping: I thought you were such a serious person.

I haven't had much time on the computer the last few days. Looks like I've got some reading to do.

Thanks again.

Ed
Sīlaṃ balaṃ appaṭimaṃ.
Sīlaṃ āvudhamuttamaṃ.
Sīlamābharaṇaṃ seṭṭhaṃ.
Sīlaṃ kavacamabbhutaṃ.


Virtue is a matchless power.
Virtue is the greatest weapon.
Virtue is the best adornment.
Virtue is a wonderful armor.

Theragatha 614


Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṃ,
kusalassa upasampadā,
Sacittapariyodapanaṃ,
etaṃ buddhāna sāsanaṃ.


Refraining from all wrong-doing,
Undertaking the good,
Purifying the mind,
This is the teaching of the buddhas.

Dhammapada v. 183/14.5
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sukhamanveti
Posts: 169
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:33 pm
Location: U.S.A.

Re: What Does the Image Consecration Ritual Do?

Post by sukhamanveti »

gavesako wrote:Becoming the Buddha: The Ritual of Image Consecration in Thailand (Buddhisms: A Princeton University Press Series) (Hardcover)
by Donald K. Swearer

http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Buddha-C ... 0691114358" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Has anyone read this book?

Or this one:

Relics of the Buddha (Buddhisms: A Princeton University Press Series) (Hardcover)
by John S. Strong
Thank you, Bhante. I am putting these on my reading list.

Ed
Sīlaṃ balaṃ appaṭimaṃ.
Sīlaṃ āvudhamuttamaṃ.
Sīlamābharaṇaṃ seṭṭhaṃ.
Sīlaṃ kavacamabbhutaṃ.


Virtue is a matchless power.
Virtue is the greatest weapon.
Virtue is the best adornment.
Virtue is a wonderful armor.

Theragatha 614


Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṃ,
kusalassa upasampadā,
Sacittapariyodapanaṃ,
etaṃ buddhāna sāsanaṃ.


Refraining from all wrong-doing,
Undertaking the good,
Purifying the mind,
This is the teaching of the buddhas.

Dhammapada v. 183/14.5
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sukhamanveti
Posts: 169
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:33 pm
Location: U.S.A.

Re: What Does the Image Consecration Ritual Do?

Post by sukhamanveti »

thornbush wrote:Hehehe I recall this thread on another Forum :rolleye: :jumping:
http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/index. ... opic=77613" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Happy reading :tongue:
Hi thorn,

Thank you as always for digging info up for me. I loved Ven. Appicchato's concise comment. It was perfect.

Ed
Sīlaṃ balaṃ appaṭimaṃ.
Sīlaṃ āvudhamuttamaṃ.
Sīlamābharaṇaṃ seṭṭhaṃ.
Sīlaṃ kavacamabbhutaṃ.


Virtue is a matchless power.
Virtue is the greatest weapon.
Virtue is the best adornment.
Virtue is a wonderful armor.

Theragatha 614


Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṃ,
kusalassa upasampadā,
Sacittapariyodapanaṃ,
etaṃ buddhāna sāsanaṃ.


Refraining from all wrong-doing,
Undertaking the good,
Purifying the mind,
This is the teaching of the buddhas.

Dhammapada v. 183/14.5
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