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Buddhist Shrines (Shrines at Home)
Benjamin
England Explorer
Due to the lack of available space i have, I have a small Buddhist shrine in my room with contents such as a framed picture of the Buddha with prayer beads hanging from it, a normal size incense burner, a small one in the shape of a hand (Buddha's hand?), beads, an image of Thich Naht Hanh - I view him as a teacher, offering(s) of water, my prayer beads I wear daily and a couple of candles, an ornament of the buddha sat on a fabric prayer mat and a stack of white rocks to represent a stupa.
What's yours like? Any pictures? (I will try and upload a picture of mine if i know how to)
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This is what passes for my Buddha space, a corner of my studio that I can see when I sit down to paint or draw.
We've had more than one thread on Shrines, or Altars... have a look through the 'search' mechanism...
http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/23274/sacred-spaces
http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/comment/449497#Comment_449497
http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/comment/426874#Comment_426874
Enjoy.
Ever since @SpinyNorman reneged on his award for the person who could predict the EU leave/remain vote in Great Britain, I have revised my (mental) altar. The "Triple Treasure" is not to be denied:
My room has a very eastern/oriental theme and I have several Buddhas and Buddhist bits in my room but this is my altar/shrine and focal point of the room
Many moons ago when I lived in a Triratna community in London we used a gas fire as a shrine. It was a cold house mind you.
I know the cloth is wrinkly, I can't help it!
Wonder if anyone has a shrine that is like a diorama as well. That would be interesting.
To leave a shrine image, click on the last symbol above the 'Leave a Comment' box
I keep my shrine at the bottom of that cup/mug. Sometimes it is under the spoon.
I know, I've had awful problems with wrinkly clothes on shrines!
Reminds me of that awful joke about the Irishman who fell out of the window ironing his curtains.
My phone sucks so you may not be able to see it very well.
The space below needs tidying, I know.
Hang a cloth over it, quick!
That's a double-insightful for sure but the whole thing's being moved in a few days anyhow.
You guys are inspiring me... And actually I have been thinking about Thich Nhat Hanh's talk about respecting the ancestors as well, and having a place in one's house dedicated to speaking with the ancestors. From the point of view of interbeing it makes sense, ones ancestors are in a way still within one, and there is a good sense in greeting them and connecting with them.
I thought I'd share my altar. The cabinet is closed so the Dharma won't be exposed unless chanting or meditating etc. The water we have (well, it evaporated) is life and the evergreen is said to represent the flowers shrew on The Buddha's feet of his disciples. I offer wine to my ancestors and recently deceased and food to both my them and The Buddha-Dharma. You see on the right The Buddha statue. Not very pretty as I've seen in the posts here and one's in old threads. He holds water too.
The only thing that's private is the Dharma/Gohonzon. I'm pretty expressive with my faith. I guess it's another way if disattaching ourselves from ego "this is mine." Something I picked up in my Zen practicing days.
Interestingly enough, my Catholic friend gave me a gift. Out of all gifts, she gives me a cute statue of The Buddha. She, for that small moment, got out of her comfort zone. She kind of kept one foot in when she got it blessed by the priest. I wonder how I should take that?
Wdnesday July 13th is ancestor's day in usa. (...i think...according to my calculations) I have a hard time speaking to mine, though, because #1 some of them were ick (like kkk, blegh!
) and #2 if they all jumped into another incarnation....then I could already be speaking to them every day, for all I know. Is ancestry really that important in a practice which sees us as so impermanent?
@Carlita I never refuse a blessing. positivity is great, no matter what faith it comes from... plus, he's so cute!!
@Carlita if the priest had no problems with blessing a Buddha, then why should you? :-)
btw, that pic with you and the buddha is great!
Lovely shrines guys.
I usually sit on my shrine aka Mr Cushion. I believe I am a shrine.
Tsk, tsk so naughty ...
http://opcoa.st/0Y6S2
However there are other ways to focus and celebrate.
This is my Bodhi and this is my (dharma) blood. As the Lama said to the Catholic ...
Tantra is strange as it breaks the bonds between sacred and profane ...
Surely you mean "as the llama said to the Catholic".... Badda-bhoosh...
The Catholic sure worships Bast.
I had no idea @Shim
She had it in her bag. The priest wouldnt bless the statue. Its a light question. Thought it was interesting she told me that. Buddha blessed by god. Interesting.