Buddhist laity

Unordained members of the Buddhist religion. Lay Buddhists are bound by the same rules of conduct as ordained Buddhists, except that they follow the Five Moral Precepts instead of the Ten Moral Precepts. They worship daily at a shrine, either at home or in a temple, by making a puja (act of worship) and with meditation. Lay Buddhists are expected to respect and care for their parents and elders, and to put Buddhist beliefs into practice by showing kindness, generosity, and honesty to those around them. The lives of the laity and the ordained are closely intertwined; it is regarded as an honour and privilege to support the monks and nuns.

Buddhists who live in countries where there are monasteries help to feed the monks or nuns at midday. Ordained Buddhists help the laity by giving lessons and advice on the dharma (religious teachings), and performing ceremonies on their behalf.

In Japan, a lay Buddhist organization, Soka Gakkai (Value Creation Society), was founded in 1930. Its members believe that absolute faith gives immediate material benefit. In 2001 it reported 12 million members in 177 countries.