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Is that a fork on your Altar?

VastmindVastmind Memphis, TN Veteran
edited December 2011 in Buddhism Today
I have seen many variations of altars. From the very formal (Is that white lace around the edges of the gold?) to the very casual...(Is that a soda can your Buddha is sitting on?)
From the very literal...(yikes...I dont know that language!).. to the very vague...(Whats the glove and toy train for?)

The common thread? The Buddhists loved them and tended to them the same.

My altar has.. fruit -- reminds me to give....especially compassion
wilting flowers -- impermanence...flowers die quick
incense -- smells like the woods....my best meditating is in the woods.
candles -- light..wisdom, heart..to be awake.

If you use an altar, what's on it?

Is it a "Modern" altar ? :)



Comments

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited December 2011
    ....I think there's a thread for people to post their pictures....

    http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/comment/233140#Comment_233140
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    federica, do you think this thread has virtues of its own in that it promotes prose rather than pictures? It wouldn't be a bad idea to have two threads though of course it makes sense to consolidate.

    Here is mine:

    * plastic flowers as promoting beauty and cheer in practicing... so it is attractive and brightens my mood.

    * a gift of metal espresso cups from a good friend I had when I came to the dharma.. with a little paper heart constructed of colorful paper, its attractive. I put this in to remember me that love is difficult though of course that relationship was also attachment...but it was a test in the fire to keep practice..

    * one of the espresso cups is filled with water and jasmine fragrance which is a practice in always refreshing and not spilling the water which is mindfulness.

    * a card from a friend in my sangha

    * a card from the sangha office with a picture of buddha

    * an aroma burner and essential oils which I enjoy while meditating.

    * beads from st.patricks day and mardi gras given by my mom and a nun to symbolize fellowship with others of my family/friends who are not buddhists.

    * Books by my teacher shenpen hookham, khenpo gyamptso tsultrim ripoche (shenpen's teacher), Trungpa Rinpoche, Rigdzin shikpo, Surya Das (to symbolize fellowship with other Tibetan schools), the dhamapada (to symbolize fellowship with all streams of buddhists).

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    federica, do you think this thread has virtues of its own in that it promotes prose rather than pictures? It wouldn't be a bad idea to have two threads though of course it makes sense to consolidate.
    I merely pointed out the thread to Vastminds for him to glean further information, as he's new here, relatively. I just thought he might find it an interesting thread to read and look at....A picture paints a thousand words, as they say....

    I wasn't suggesting he shouldn't have begun as thread because of it....

    If I operated on that basis, I'd be a lot more vocal on the threads repetitively discussing 'thoughts on taking drugs', 'vegetarianism', 'violence and self-defence' and 'kamma/karma'....now, wouldn't I....?

  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    Ahh federica, now I understand. Yes on newbuddhist we always recycle!
  • ToshTosh Veteran
    My alter, apart from the usual, has my A.A. sobriety chips (coin like tokens you get on sobriety birthdays) and a silver hip flask (empty) that still smells of whiskey.

    It seems appropriate; it feels right; my alcoholism brought me to A.A. and A.A. brought me to the Dharma; my alcoholism has been a great teacher and motivator; transforming something negative into something positive is very 'Buddhist' I think.
  • AMHAMH
    Okay, I do not currently have an altar but have had many in the past and I have very important advice.

    If you have candles, other flames, incense or every burn paper as part of what you do then a burn bucket is important. Just a small heat proof container with sand in the bottom is good. I have had a variety of altars with different traditions and purposes in my lifetime over the last 30 years, it makes meditating much calmer to have the practical stuff as well as beautiful.

    (PS a glass cover cut to fit the table is wonderful for candle wax and incense dust).
  • VastmindVastmind Memphis, TN Veteran
    @Tosh...Sounds fantastic! If it feels right...it flows right!
    Gratitude for sharing.
  • IronRabbitIronRabbit Veteran
    Is that a fork on your Altar?

    Well, no - not a fork - a trident or trishula - an early aniconic symbol of tripitaka in Indian Buddhism....

    It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to have to paint it.
    Steven Wright


  • VastmindVastmind Memphis, TN Veteran
    IronRabbit.....May you continue to teach me.

    After your comment...your explanation was informative. Enough, in fact.

    The quote...kept me wondering. Mmmmm?

    My life experience has not yet presented this figure, so I immediatly researched. Like a good Buddhist AND a good scientist.

    The ironic "fork-ness" of it :) I had seen a table, utensil fork on an altar.

    I enjoyed learning something new. Beginners Mind .

    I loved the learning trip you sent me on.
  • Bodha8Bodha8 Veteran
    Vastminds - Please check your inbox.
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