An Analytical Study of the Value of Worship in Mańgala Sutta

Abstract

This research article aims to (1) study the concepts of the principles of worship which appear in the Mańgala Sutta, and (2) analyze the value of worship according to the Mańgala Sutta. This qualitative research studies Tipitaka scriptures, academic textbooks, documents, and related research works, and then analyzes and synthesizes the data through a descriptive approach. The research results can be summarized as follows: human beings are social animals, which causes the belief and worship to pray for safety. Worship has influenced human life for a long time. Buddhism teaches about worship in the Mańgala Sutta, ‘worshiping people who should worship is the most auspicious.’ In the Buddhist era, there were 2 characteristics of worship: sacrifice and fire worship. These are sacrifices made by killing living beings to worship their gods. Nowadays, worship appears as praying for help and fortune, just waiting for the results of that worship. The correct worship has to be practiced to advance life, which is called Mańgala, and the action to respect people and places. In the Mańgala Sutta, there is 2 types of worship: (1) people who should be worshipped, namely the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha, the Pacceka Buddha, the King, parents, and teachers, (2) things that should be worshipped, namely stupas, places where the relics of the Buddhaenshrined, and pagodas. There are 2 characteristics of worship: (1) worship with material objects and (2) worship with Dhamma practice. 2) The value of worship according to the Mańgala Sutta is as follows: (1) personal: worship to apply the principles of Dharma to develop oneself, it is an important goal because when one develops oneself well, one can rely on oneself. (2) Family value: showing respect for each other in the family, which is the foundation that makes the family stable, with good love and understanding for each other, knowing how to accept opinions, and being ready to forgive when doing wrong. (3) Social value: it concerns accepting rules and regulations, respecting one's rights and duties, and others, giving importance to others as much as one's importance. (4) Religious value: It is a symbol of the existence of Buddhism. When people in society worship and respect each other, it will make society live in peace and happiness, which is a sustainable practice. The body of knowledge gained from research is that true worship is not just a ritual, but is respect with mindfulness and using faith to develop oneself, family, society, and religion in harmony.