Religious Rituals through Mahayana Buddhism and Yoruba African tradition

The role of ritual in religion is seen even in the earliest religions, changing throughout time to blend with the culture. Both Mahayana Buddhism and the Yoruba African religious perspective are deeply rooted in ritual. Mahayana Buddhism is distinguished from the other sects of Buddhism present due in part to its emphasis on ritual to reach enlightenment. The orisa religion of the Yoruba people in western Africa greatly influences and permeates the culture and beliefs of its people through rituals. However, while the presence of ritual may be a common thread in both of these religions, the purpose and means for rituals can greatly differ. The orisa religion focuses mainly on the rites of passage, with some divination, called Ifa, and a few other rituals of sac...