Waat Dhammaducha Research Paper

Wat Dhammaducha The Buddhist Experience I had a great deal of curiosity in how the Buddhist practice their belief within their religion. My husband and I took some time to visit a Buddhist Temple named Wat Dhammaducha, which is located in San Antonio, Texas. We participated in their Sunday Mass by observing the temple, the people, the Monks, and the rituals that took place. My husband was born in Thailand and grew up around Monks but never truly understood what they represented. I felt since I am a Catholic and my husband is currently completing his R.C.I.A to convert to Catholicism, this would be a great opportunity to witness the people of a Buddhist Temple and become part of their mass. This would help us both with understanding what …show more content…
The Monks were sitting about two inches above the rest of us on a higher platform. Food was stacking up from all the guest of the Temple on the floor in preparation for the Monks to eat. Prior to the Monks eating, the group was led into a prayer chant, but was in the language commonly practice by Monks. This language is called Pali. Pali is native to the Indian subcontinent. Once the chant was completed the Monks were served the food that was brought to them as an offering. Examples of dishes brought were homemade Thai food, to Little Cesar’s Pizza. We sat and watched the Monks fill their bowls with food and watched as they ate. During their meal, the Buddhist continued to chant in Pali their prayers. Monks eat only once a day, so they must be fed for the whole day, hence the large amount of food offered to them. We also witnessed the practice of water offerings to the Buddha’s to generate the merits. Merits are generated for the success of their spiritual practice. Around the temple were three large Buddha Statues and empty bowls for donations for various causes tied to the