The Buddhist practice of bowing to the Buddha (chin.: jūgōngduìpúsà 鞠躬对菩萨) diminishes one's habits of self-importance, pride, and arrogance. It is also a good physical exercise that can make the body strong. Bowing in Buddhism cuts across the lines of traditions and schools. Bowing has been part of Buddhist practice since the Buddha’s time in India and continues to this day.
Within the Buddhist Sangha (chin.: Sēngjiā 僧伽), or monastic community, the daily liturgical schedule began and ended with dozens if not hundreds of ritual prostrations. On ceremony days, clergy and laity alike might engage in the practice of liturgical repentance and bow up to ten thousand times. Monks (chin.: bǐqiū 比丘) and nuns (chin.: bǐqiūní 比丘尼) bow to the images of Sages, Awakened Beings, and the Buddhas, to their superiors, and to each other.
Bowing to the Buddha is like Bowing to the Buddha Within, it is more than a simple gesture; a bow is an act of veneration -- for us and for all.
Venerable Shaolin Master Shi Yong An Suggested Keywords for further search: Bow | Bowing
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