In Theravada Buddhism, to whom should we direct his prayers?
"In Theravada Buddhism, the monastic community is called the" Sangha ", a key spiritual elements of Sangha is to meet for meditation and prayer" [Gellman & Hartman: Religion for Dummies]. It was my understanding that Buddhists do not recognize an external force or deity. Now I'm confused …
Prayer is not a spiritual entity, but is used to concentrate the mind. If you pray to a statue of Buddha that you want to imitate his rather than moral goodness to ask him to intercede for you in the way Christians. The goal is to be like Buddha attain salvation through your own efforts.
Meditation for Peace with Peter Tongue in Victoria, Canada