?This is a frequently asked question, which also implies another question: Is it needed for lay Buddhists to put together an altar in your house? In that case, how whenever they get it done? The solution really is determined by the average person situation. If the dwelling is small, or if you reside in a dormitory, share an area or perhaps a house with co-workers or classmates, it would not be on the way of build an altar. In such instances, in case you worship regularly at the fixed time, you could possibly place a sutra that you would normally convey a Buddha statue. In this situation, there’s no need to lose incense or candles, or offer water or flowers. Pre and post worshipping, it could be appropriate to bow with joined palms, and prostrate to indicate respect and sincerity. If the roommates or housemates will also be Buddhists, it could be okay to put together a common altar or a worship room. In case you are the only Buddhist, don’t be so particular regarding insist on setting up an altar; as it might court others’ resentment and dismay.

?If you’re the only Buddhist in the family, it’s also required to follow similar guidelines as you live in a dormitory; otherwise, it may well create discord inherited. Don’t let your Buddhist practice result in ill feelings and resentment toward Buddhism inside family. If the whole family believes in Buddhism, otherwise you are head of the household, or both spouses practice, as there are space, it might be the very best to put together an altar or a worship room. When starting an altar within the family room, choose the side in the room the location where the main furniture would normally be. Tthere shouldn’t be window behind the statue, and statue should face a door or window, there can be plenty sunlight, as well as altar is clearly in sight when individuals enter the door.

?The altar will be the heart of an home; it will generate a a feeling of stability and security. Alternatives locations and directions suggested by geomancers, they may be utilized as reference for consideration; one really should not be superstitious and feel constrained by them. It will be fine provided that the Buddha statue will not directly face the toilet, the stove, or perhaps a bed. In case you start a worship room, select a quiet quarter where children or pets don’t roam in and out easily. The space should not be spot for receiving guests, chatting or entertaining; it must be used only for worshipping, chanting, and Chan practice, not for everything else. However, if there are already non-Buddhist pictures, plaques, and statues employed for worshipping, including Guangong, Matzu, earth gods and ancestors, we have to not get rid of them straight away, simply because we currently practice Buddhism. They ought to be removed step-by-step, gradually.

?The first task is usually to put the Buddha statue during the altar, between statues with the non-Buddhist deities, and ancestors’ memorial plaques. There is no need to setup an incense burner and candle holders. The explanation for this arrangement happens because all benevolent deities and ancestors will protect, support, and be drawn to the Three Jewels. Following the altar is to establish, like become disciples in the Three Jewels and benefit from the Dharma. Next time you move the altar or worship room, you might then remove those non-Buddhist deity statues and store them as keepsakes. When it comes to ancestors’ plaques, they don’t should be placed or worshiped in your house; they could be gone to live in the hall of rebirth inside a temple or monastery. If an individual insists on still worship them at home, they may be either added to the amount underneath the Buddha’s statue. Or, they can be gone after another location onto an inferior altar and turn into worshiped separately.

?In larger temples, for example, there are halls of rebirth specially for putting ancestors’ plaques. Smaller temples usually allow ancestors’ plaques and longevity plaques being placed over the side walls with the main hall. In this way, it not only expresses our prudent filial piety and reverence to your ancestors, but additionally shows our sublime faith on the Buddha. In such a way, it distinguishes our sublime faith on the Buddha from your filial piety to your ancestors.

?In your house there’s applications multiple statues from the Buddha and bodhisattvas, as that could help to increase clutter. One statue from the Buddha can represent all buddhas, and one bodhisattva statue can represent all bodhisattvas. Besides statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, most families select one from among Guanyin Pusa (Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva), Amitabha Buddha, and Medicine Buddha.

?For those who have both Buddha and bodhisattva statues, then a Buddha statue needs to be put in the center or over a more impressive range in the back of the altar, whilst the bodhisattva statues they fit on the sides or at lower positions in the front. In other words, the Buddha statue should be noticeable to exhibit his revered prominence. The dimensions of the statue must be in proportion towards the scale from the altar and worship room, not too big or not big enough. If your statue is small but made from one of many seven precious treasures (gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, agate, ruby, carnelian), then this specially carved, multi-leveled shrine may be used to tripped the statue’s unique grandeur.

?After obtaining a new Buddha or bodhisattva image or statue, a lot of people would hold an initiation (“opening light”) ceremony to consecrate it. However, through the Buddhist point of view, such a ceremony is not necessary. Buddha and bodhisattva images and statues are tools for practice. We use them as objects for reverence. Although buddhas and bodhisattvas are omnipresent, without statues and images, we won’t have a focus to obtain our prostrations, offerings, and respect. It can be through such reverential practices that people receive great things about cultivation and responses in the buddhas and the bodhisattvas. Though the most essential thing is our faith, sincerity, and a sense of respect, not the statues or images themselves. Therefore, an initiation ceremony for your images and statues is certainly not important.

?When Shakyamuni Buddha had been living, he attended the Heaven with the Thirty-three Devas for three months to provide sermons to his mother. His disciples missed him, so they really sculpted his image for worship; yet, there was no account associated with a initiation ceremonies. In subsequent generations, sutras, images, Buddhist articles, pagodas and in many cases temples, became representations of Buddha’s presence and his awesome continuing transformation worldwide. Nevertheless, solemn ceremonies often generate deep respect and faith in people. Gradually, many kinds of rituals in connection with worship and offerings had become; the initiation ceremony was one of them. Therefore, to this day, every time a temple installs a fresh Buddha statue, followers gather together to have an initiation ceremony. Such as a new firm opening for business, or a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new building, a ceremony can be a way to come up with a solemn announcement on the public.

?However, when we set up Buddha and bodhisattva statues at home, you don’t have with an announcement, hence, no requirement to hold an initiation ceremony. If you create the statues with sincerity and respect, to make daily offerings of incense, flowers, and fruits, keeping the offerings as well as altar fresh, clean, and tidy, you will have a sacred and holy atmosphere to induce the dedication of practitioners. To hold the indoor air fresh and clean, the incense burned at home should be of refined grade with delicate, light fragrance. When burning incense in your house, it’s best to burn just one single stick during a period. Don’t pollute the air in the house with a lot of incense. Natural sandalwood and agarwood incense are of quality; it is not helpful to use synthetic chemical or animal-based incense sticks.

?From the worship room of an modern home, candles can be replaced by light bulbs. It is necessary to wash the offering table, incense burner, candle holder often, and keep them dust free, and clear of withering flowers and rotting fruits. Each day we should set a unique time to conduct the practice, at least burning incense and offering water each day and evening. Prior to leaving and after being home, we have to prostrate to Buddha expressing our gratitude, respect, and remembrance.

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