To whom Buddhist monchs pray?

Question

just to Buddha or also other spirits or something else?

Answer 1

There's high road religion and there's low road religion. In low road Christianity local gods were transformed into saints to ease conversion. The same is true of Buddhism.

Buddhism isn't a theistic religion, there is no god to worship. The low road variants involve prayers to bodhisattva's, buddhist saints, people who have achieved 'enlightenment' but chosen to remain in contact with the world of men to guide the unenlightened. Usually local gods who were transmogrified into canonically acceptable figures.

The high road variants of both are not generally practiced by the laity. Both theoretically involve a surrender or obliteration of personal ego that is incompatible with asking for supernatural favors or requests concerning worldly matters.

The border between chanting and praying is porous. Both involve behaviors that can push practitioners into an altered state of consciousness. Both can involve asking for things, one of the differences is what is being asked for and whether or not the object is the request or the ritual of requesting.

Answer 2

Usually they just meditate. Prayers are aids to direct their thoughts. One Bhuddhist prayer is "Behold! The jewel in the lotus!"

Which has many cultural and symbolic meanings, but basically is about the potential for enlightenment. Or. . . something. It baffles me a bit.

Answer 3

to themselves and to the world. Not to Buddha and not to spirits. Buddhism is a hard religion. Involves a lot of learning  

Answer 4

They dont pray they meditate

Answer 5

No one....unless the said Buddhist couples Buddhism with another religion like myself. When I pray I pray to God.

Answer 6

There prayers won't get them very far, unless they submit to the beautiful religion of Al Islam!

Come back to Islam, for the day of Judgement is OH So very close, my Allah, guide your souls. And may he have mercy on my soul!!