Quick questions on Temple puja as a significant practice in Buddhism: HSC Studies of Religion

Puja is performed differently across the major traditions, and noting this variation lifts a response. In Theravada temples, puja tends to be relatively simple, centring on offerings, chanting in Pali, taking refuge and the precepts, and meditation, reflecting the tradition's emphasis on individual practice toward enlightenment. In Mahayana and Tibetan (Vajrayana) settings, puja is often more elaborate, including devotion to bodhisattvas, the use of mantras, mudras and visualisation, and rich ritual, reflecting beliefs in the bodhisattva ideal and skilful means (upaya). Pure Land Buddhists may centre devotion on Amitabha Buddha and the recitation of his name.