Lay Buddhist Practice – The Buddhist Shrine

“It is best to start with practices which are common to all Buddhist traditions for every-day observance. It is usual, among the more wealthy lay Buddhists, to have a small room set aside for their daily devotions, or at least a curtained-off recess. A few might even have a small separate building. Even poor people, with little space in their houses, have a special shelf high on the wall on which a Buddha-image or picture is placed together with the usual offerings (see below). Nowhere in the Buddhist world are Buddha-images treated as ornaments for a living room. And a Buddha image is always given the highest “seat” in the room, that is, the Buddha-image is displayed in the place of honor. In the shrine-room this will be on the highest part of a shrine. If on a special shelf (often carved and decorated with color and gold), then that shelf is usually high on the wall and has nothing above it. The fact that one places the symbol of one’s Teacher in the highest place shows one’s high regard for him. For this reason alone it is obvious that Buddha-images should not be placed on mantelpieces and miscellaneous furniture.”  From Lay Buddhist Practice – The Shrine Room.

Here’s some youtube on “How To Create a Buddhist Shrine or Altar”

Tibetan tradition

Giving

“Giving” in terms of time and money to the monastery was never a consistent practice on my part. Or should it be?

These thoughts came to mind when prompted by a nun who was giving dhamma class. It was not that obvious to me. But after today’s talk, it hits me that the sangha community survived through inter-support between the lay community and services provided by the monastery. Monks and Nuns practice and practice so that they could share with us the lay people insights into buddhist teachings. In return, we need to support them in kind, whether food, daily needs or monetary to run the temple. Make sense!

To say “give” is easy. However, I questioned myself how much each time i made a decision to commit a sum. It was never easy to commit, since all sorts of needs and wants had to be set aside. I supposed it’s not that easy afterall otherwise everyone of us would be giving. Well, for a start, I’ll need to make a commitment soon.

A Reflection on Daily Practice

Is daily practice something that one should concern about?

I’ve thought about this question often enough. I read articles on this matter and on many occasions prompted to practice buddha’s teachings, whether is it through youtube videos, books or talks. I must say that I’m always motivated at the point of time when in contact with such media but thereafter, I would forgot once I moved into daily concerns and work.

Today, I’ve attended another talk and once again, I’ve been prompted to this mantra…practice daily the teachings of buddha. The advice given were that you could be a monk but if you do not keep to heart, buddha’s teachings from moment to moment, it defeats the purpose of being a monk. Hence, you could be a lay person, but if you could practice from the heart daily from moment to moment, you would be another step closer to Nirvana.

Simple and yet I knew the importance. Practicing buddhism is just like any other skills that we wished to master. A shade difference could be that wisdom could only be realized. Mmm…I guessed for a start, I’ll have to maintain mindfulness on daily affairs and keep to the five precepts.