Ritual, however conceptualized, plays a central role in Vajrayāna Buddhist practice. Dedicated practitioners – yogis and yoginis – are introduced to Vajrayāna practices through initiation rituals which purify them and empower them to cultivate the qualities of Vajrayāna deities and their as...
Baptism (from the Greek baptizo: to immerse, to submerge) is a ritual that is practised in practically all Christian churches and communities. It involves a person being immersed in water – or having water poured over them – along with the spoken trinitarian formula. This article outlines the...
In Myanmar, Buddhist nuns are recognized as part of the sangha (Buddhist monastic community) and are commonly referred to as thila-shin, meaning a disciplined and virtuous female practitioner. They occupy their own social and spiritual role distinct from, but deeply connected to, Buddhist ...