Prostration in Buddhism: Meaning and Benefits

In Buddhist rituals and practices, one act stands out for its profound symbolism and transformative potential: the act of prostration. On the surface, it is a simple physical gesture—an act of bending the body in reverence. Yet, within this humble gesture lie depths of spiritual meaning that encapsulate the essence of the Buddhist path.

In this article, LotusBuddhas will provide you with the meaning and benefits of prostration in Buddhism, as well as the correct way to practice it so that you can follow along when you visit temples.

What is prostration?

In a sociocultural context, prostration is a significant body language gesture or physical act of lowering the body in a manner that demonstrates respect, submission, or adoration. This act varies greatly in terms of form and significance across different cultural, religious and social contexts.

Prostration can be seen in many religious traditions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism. The act typically involves the individual bending their body to the ground, often so that the forehead touches the floor.  This full physical bow is intended to symbolize the individual’s complete submission to the divine power or a sign of profound respect towards an individual of higher social or spiritual status.

The notion of prostration as a form of worship or reverence has deep historical roots, tracing back to ancient civilizations. Ancient Egyptians, for instance, prostrated before their Pharaoh, seen as a divine figure. In the same vein, prostration was a customary practice in Imperial China, showcasing deference to the Emperor. Similarly, the act is pervasive in the Abrahamic traditions and Eastern spiritual practices as a form of devotion or penitence.

Meaning of prostration in Buddhism

In Buddhism, prostration is a symbolic act of reverence and humility, steeped in deep philosophical and spiritual significance. It is an embodiment of the practitioner’s respect towards Three Jewels: the Buddha (the enlightened one), the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community of practitioners).

Prostration, or ‘vandana’ as it is known in the Buddhist context, is traditionally performed by kneeling on the ground, placing the palms together in a position of prayer, and bowing the head and body to the ground. The act symbolizes the practitioner’s surrender to the divine wisdom of the Buddha, acceptance of the teachings of Dharma, and respect towards the Sangha—the community of fellow practitioners.

The act of prostration is not simply an empty gesture; it carries significant symbolic weight in the practitioner’s spiritual journey. In Buddhist philosophy, the ego or self-conception is identified as a source of suffering. Prostration, by embodying the physical lowering of oneself, assists in subverting this egoic conception and fostering a sense of unity with all sentient beings.

Furthermore, prostration is also interpreted in Theravada Buddhism as an act of ‘making merit’, which is the accumulation of spiritual credits that facilitate progress towards enlightenment.  It forms an integral part of daily worship, communal gatherings, and special occasions such as the commemoration of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death, known as Vesak.

In certain sects of Buddhism, notably Tantric Buddhism, prostrations are even more central to spiritual practice. Prostrations are included as part of ‘ngöndro’ or preliminary practices, where practitioners might perform 100,000 prostrations alongside other forms of devotional acts. The commitment and effort required for such a feat underscore its significance in curbing self-centeredness and developing spiritual discipline.

Overall, prostration in Buddhism is a practice deeply imbued with symbolic, philosophical and devotional elements.  Through prostration, practitioners embody the teachings of Buddhism in their everyday lives, nurturing a deeper connection with the Three Jewels and the path towards enlightenment.

Benefits of prostration in Buddhism

The act of prostration in Buddhism confers several benefits to the practitioner, both tangible and intangible. These benefits encompass physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions and contribute to the practitioner’s overall progression on the path to enlightenment.

1. Physical Health: Prostration involves a full range of motion for the body, similar to certain exercises or yoga postures. Regular practice can contribute to enhanced physical health, improving flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. The rhythmic movement can also stimulate blood circulation and aid in relieving physical stress and tension.
2. Psychological Health: Prostration can serve as a form of moving meditation, promoting mindfulness and concentration. The repetitive nature of the action, coupled with the focus required, can help to quieten the mind and cultivate mental tranquility. Over time, this can contribute to improved emotional regulation and stress management.
3. Humility and Respect: The act of prostration symbolizes the lowering of oneself in reverence to the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.  This ritual act fosters humility and respect, helping to counteract ego-driven tendencies and cultivate an attitude of gratitude and reverence.
4. Merit Accumulation: In Buddhist philosophy, prostration is considered a merit-making activity. Merit, or ‘puñña’ in Pali, refers to the spiritual credit gained through virtuous deeds, which aids in the attainment of enlightenment. Therefore, through prostration, practitioners accumulate merit, enhancing their spiritual progress.
5. Embodying the Dharma: Prostration is not merely a physical act but is imbued with deep spiritual significance. Through prostration, practitioners physically embody the teachings of the Dharma, thus strengthening their connection and commitment to the Buddhist path.
6. Spiritual Discipline: Particularly in schools of Buddhism that emphasize ritualistic practices, such as Tibetan Buddhism, prostration forms part of rigorous spiritual disciplines. The performance of a high number of prostrations (e.g., 100,000 in the preliminary practices, or ‘ngöndro’) requires significant effort and commitment, thereby fostering discipline, perseverance, and resilience.

In essence, the benefits of prostration in Buddhism extend beyond the immediate act, shaping the practitioner’s physical well-being, mental clarity, and spiritual progress. It is a holistic practice that synergistically integrates body, mind, and spirit, supporting the overall journey towards enlightenment.

The correct way of prostration for Buddhist practitioners

Prostration, which varies in execution across different Buddhist traditions. However, a generalized form of prostration that is widely recognized in Buddhism can be described as follows:

1. Positioning: Stand upright in front of the Buddha statue, Buddhist shrine, or a spiritual teacher, facing towards them. This act symbolizes your intent to engage in a sacred ritual and acknowledges the sanctity of the object or person you are facing.
2. Anjali Mudra: Join your palms together at the chest or face level, fingers pointing upwards. This gesture, called ‘anjali mudra’, symbolizes respect and is commonly used in many Asian cultures. In this context, it signifies veneration towards the Three Jewels of Buddhism—Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
3. Kneeling and Bowing: Next, kneel down on both knees. Some traditions suggest placing the right knee on the ground first, followed by the left. Once you are kneeling, bow forward until your forehead touches the ground. This act signifies humility and surrender.
4. Full Prostration: Extend your hands forward, palms facing down, until your elbows are fully bent, and your hands are next to your head. Your forehead, forearms, knees, and toes should all touch the ground. This posture constitutes a full prostration and represents the letting go of one’s ego.
5. Rising and Repeating: After a brief pause, rise back to the kneeling position, bring your palms together again in the ‘anjali mudra’, and then stand up. The prostration is usually performed three times in succession to pay homage to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, respectively.

You must to note that the physical act of prostration should be carried out mindfully, with full awareness of the symbolic significance of the movements. The intent and understanding behind the prostration hold as much importance, if not more, as the physical act itself. However, different Buddhist traditions might have variations in the method of prostration, reflecting their unique cultural and historical influences.

The different types of prostration in Buddhism

The manner of prostration can vary significantly among different Buddhist traditions, reflecting diverse cultural and historical influences. Some of the different types of prostration prevalent in Buddhism include:

1. Five-Point Prostration: This type of prostration is most common across many Buddhist traditions. It is called a five-point prostration because five parts of the practitioner’s body come into contact with the ground: the forehead, two palms, and two knees. This act symbolizes the practitioner’s complete surrender and humility.
2. Full-length Prostration: Often practiced in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition as part of ‘ngöndro’ or preliminary practices, this involves the practitioner laying their entire body flat on the ground, stretched out in the direction of a Buddha statue or shrine.  The practitioner then rises, steps forward, and repeats the prostration. This full-body prostration symbolizes the practitioner’s complete devotion and submission to the Dharma.
3. Half-length Prostration: A variant of the full-length prostration, the half-length prostration, often practiced in the Theravada tradition, involves the practitioner kneeling and bowing until the forehead touches the ground, but without fully extending the body.
4. Bowing: In some East Asian traditions such as Zen Buddhism, prostration may take the form of a bow, executed while standing or sitting. This bow, often referred to as a ‘gassho’, is performed with the palms joined together in front of the heart or face in ‘anjali mudra’, and the upper body bent forward from the hips.
5. Lotus Bud Prostration: Practiced particularly in the Pure Land tradition of Chinese Buddhism, the lotus bud prostration involves the practitioner kneeling on the ground, bowing until the forehead touches the ground, and raising their hands in the air, palms joined together. This position, resembling a lotus bud, represents purity and devotion.

The difference between prostration in Buddhism and other religions

Prostration is a common ritualistic practice in many religions around the world, and while it carries a similar theme of expressing reverence and humility, the specific symbolism, method, and purpose can vary significantly between religions. In order to understand the differences, let’s examine prostration in Buddhism and compare it to its practice in other prominent religions.

Buddhism: As discussed previously, prostration in Buddhism is a symbolic gesture of reverence towards the Three Jewels—Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. It also serves to cultivate humility, diminish ego, and express commitment to the Dharma. Practitioners perform prostrations as part of daily practice, special rituals and within monastic settings.

Islam: In Islam, prostration, or ‘sajdah’, forms an integral part of the Salat, the obligatory prayer ritual performed five times daily. Muslims prostrate by kneeling and touching their forehead to the ground, expressing absolute submission to Allah. This act also symbolizes equality among all Muslims, as all believers, regardless of social status, prostrate in the same manner.

Christianity: In Christianity, prostration is less commonly practiced by laity but is more prevalent in monastic and liturgical settings. During ordinations, monastic vows, and the Good Friday liturgy, for instance, individuals prostrate fully on the ground as a sign of humility and surrender to God.  Unlike Buddhism and Islam, prostration in Christianity is not typically a part of daily devotional practice for most believers.

Hinduism: Prostration in Hinduism, known as ‘dandavat pranam’, involves lying flat on the ground, face downwards, in reverence to a deity, a holy person, or a sacred object. The act symbolizes total surrender to the divine. Similar to Buddhism, Hindu prostration also aims at reducing the ego, but it differs in the specific religious context and the pantheistic theology of Hinduism.

Judaism: In Judaism, full prostration was historically practiced in the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, full prostrations are rare, with most Jews performing a form of bowing during certain prayers instead. During the High Holy Days, particularly on Yom Kippur, some Jews practice full prostration, laying face down on the ground in repentance and seeking atonement.

These comparisons demonstrate that while prostration as a physical act of reverence is a common thread in many religions, its specific form, symbolism, and frequency of practice can vary significantly.  Each tradition imbues prostration with its unique theological and spiritual interpretations, reflecting its distinct historical, cultural and religious context.