Prostration

A prostration is a gesture used in Buddhist practice to show reverence to the Three Jewels (comprising the Buddha, his teachings, and the spiritual community) and other objects of veneration.

The act of prostration can be done in the context of:

• taking refuge or
• making offerings (see saptāṇga pūja and vandanā)

In general, the benefits of performing prostrations towards the three jewels are:

• to purify defilements, especially arrogance
• to develop an attitude of giving
• to accumulate merit

Further reading

• Prostration (Buddhism), Wikipedia