R  E  S  O  U   R  C  E  S

Introduction

Ritual can be understood as the established form followed by a group as part of their regular coming together. It is 'what they do' and the procedure of any ceremony is often set by customs or tradition. Despite the differences in the 'what', the principles underlying ritual are often responses to primal or archetypal energies - an intuitive expression of something 'beyond' the material world . Religion is an attempt to codify and explain the universe that we encounter and the resulting rituals don't always have a clear or rational basis; especially in this age of logic and science. There are things that we are able to experience in common, as human beings (indeed with other living beings as well), but the nature of those experiences is ineffable. How do we talk about, or personify love - or peace? - or freedom? - or compassion? The varied use of objects, actions and voice can be developed to emmulate aspects of a wide range of altruistic or spiritual qualities. It is not the things or the movements or the words in themselves that are holy but what they ellicit in the human heart that gives them value - we create our own rituals.
Children may ask the question 'why do we do this?.' In some instances there may be a simple answer to explain the activity but it is important to be able to appreciate the value of participating in an established [ancient?] form. There are things we do, songs we sing, that by their repetition establish inexplicable bonds between us. Creating new rituals and symbols is not an easy thing. Participating in rituals involves the relaxation of the intellect and a contacting of the intuitive (a visit to the right brain perhaps?).
What do we do to honour that which is holy? To offer respect to that which is marvelous and sacred? To make a personal connection with what is universal? Rituals are a way of doing this and of sharing and expressing things we share as humans.
The danger with rituals is that without some reflection (wisdom) they can take on a power beyond and independent of this function; this is idolatry.

So what do Buddhists do?
This varies between different cultural situations and the information here largely relates to the usual forms of ritual found in the Thai tradition (with English seasoning).