Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c9.s3.17

c9.s3.17

I. Vandanā or Pūjana is effected by mentally dedicating all things of the world including his own self ⁷ to Buddhas with their disciples, and the promise of repenting for past sins and refraining from committing any further evil deeds. The Pūjā¹ (worship) is to be performed by bathing the Tathāgatas and Bodhisattvas, *viz.*, Samantabhadra, Ajita, Mañjughoṣa, etc., in a magnificent bathroom (snānagṛha) with scents, unguents, flowers, incense, etc., accompanied by music. This is to be followed by the offering of robes, bowls, food and other requisites. Having thus finished the Snānapūjā, Malyapūjā and so forth², one is to perform the Dīpapūjā (illumination). Then commences the Dharmapūjā, which consists in decorating or making offerings to the caityas and images of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. This is followed by Stutipūjā³ (chanting hymns in praise of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas) and Praṇāmapūjā (uttering the formulæ of salutation) addressed to Buddha Dharma, Saṅgha and Tathāgatastūpa⁴. The Śikṣāsamuccaya devotes three chapters⁵ to the description of the results obtained by worshipping a stūpa⁶, or repairing a dilapidated stūpa, by drawing a picture or making an image of Buddha, by praising a Buddha and persuading others to do the same⁷, but it gives first place to the three great pūjās, *viz.*, (i) development of bodhicitta, (ii) practising the religion, and (iii) having a compassionate heart towards all beings.