How to Create a Simple Buddhist Shrine
Choose a stable place to set the shrine., Make a stand or shelf to support the objects., Place the objects onto the shrine., If a suitable Buddha image simply cannot be obtained, a picture of Buddha's relics, a stūpa , a Buddhist holy book, a bodhi...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Choose a stable place to set the shrine.
(Some people use a whole room.) It may be a table or a shelf, but be sure to have it at least above head level based on the usual use of the room. -
Step 2: Make a stand or shelf to support the objects.
A simple start is a wooden stand with three levels.
This will be the main surface of the shrine, so you may want to put some effort into this. , First you will need an image of the Buddha.
You can have as many as you like.
This will go on the topmost level of the shrine.
It is considered 'bad etiquette' to place the Buddha (or Buddhas) lower than any other image in the same room.
In the place of an image of Buddha, a mantra written on a piece of paper or similar is perfectly acceptable, and preferred in the Jōdo Shinshū (Pure Land) tradition of Buddhism and in Nichiren Buddhism.
Some buddhist schools recommend certain standardized arrangements of images for their lay members, in Japan often as triptychs with the main Buddha surrounded by either bodhisattvas, dharma guardians or lineage masters.
This is not necessary, even after Japanese standards, and Chinese-Taiwanese Buddhism is usually less standardized when it comes to home shrines. ,, Two guardian images may be an idea to consider:
Either the 'lion-dogs' common at the entrance of South Asian monasteries or two dharmapalas/vidyarajas you feel familiar with (Chinese, Japanese and Tibetan Buddhists doesn't use exactly the same palas, and for persons into Tibetan Buddhism or Shingon there may be reasons to choose carefully). , Some find a bell or singing bowl on a cushion useful. , However, it is not what you offer that is important: it is that it is done sincerely with a pure heart.
Since Buddhist monastics aren't allowed to eat after lunchtime, food, fruit and dairy offerings traditionally – and for symbolic reasons – occur in the morning or shortly before lunchtime.
Offerings of water, non-dairy beverages, candles, flowers and incense may, however, occur at other times of the day. , You can make a simple stūpa with a small pile of stones.
There is no need to go out and buy a costly gold one; that defeats the purpose of Buddhism. , Use it to water a plant or something.
A new cup or bowl should be used for this purpose: glass or crystal is preferable, because the clarity of the water represents clarity of the mind.
Some Buddhist schools use two water bowls: 'drinking' water and 'washing' water.
It is far from wrong to let flowers remain even after withering has begun:
The flowers serve to remind you of impermanence. , Touch the tip to your forehead, then light it.
See warning. -
Step 3: Place the objects onto the shrine.
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Step 4: If a suitable Buddha image simply cannot be obtained
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Step 5: a picture of Buddha's relics
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Step 6: a stūpa
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Step 7: a Buddhist holy book
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Step 8: a bodhi leaf or picture of the Buddha's footprints may be acceptable.
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Step 9: On the next level
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Step 10: you may place an image of a Buddhist teacher like the Dalai Lama or a small statue of the Chinese Bùdài (the Laughing Buddha
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Step 11: considered to be a manifestation of Buddha Maitreya.)
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Step 12: Place offerings on the lowest level or
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Step 13: if you wish
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Step 14: a Buddhist scripture or a bowl of water.
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Step 15: Traditional offerings include candles
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Step 16: flowers
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Step 17: incense
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Step 18: fruit or food.
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Step 19: Place a small stūpa on the supporting surface of the shrine
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Step 20: if you wish.
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Step 21: It is traditional to change the offering water every morning
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Step 22: however
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Step 23: the old water should never go to waste.
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Step 24: If you wish
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Step 25: you may offer incense at the shrine when you recite morning ceremony.
Detailed Guide
(Some people use a whole room.) It may be a table or a shelf, but be sure to have it at least above head level based on the usual use of the room.
A simple start is a wooden stand with three levels.
This will be the main surface of the shrine, so you may want to put some effort into this. , First you will need an image of the Buddha.
You can have as many as you like.
This will go on the topmost level of the shrine.
It is considered 'bad etiquette' to place the Buddha (or Buddhas) lower than any other image in the same room.
In the place of an image of Buddha, a mantra written on a piece of paper or similar is perfectly acceptable, and preferred in the Jōdo Shinshū (Pure Land) tradition of Buddhism and in Nichiren Buddhism.
Some buddhist schools recommend certain standardized arrangements of images for their lay members, in Japan often as triptychs with the main Buddha surrounded by either bodhisattvas, dharma guardians or lineage masters.
This is not necessary, even after Japanese standards, and Chinese-Taiwanese Buddhism is usually less standardized when it comes to home shrines. ,, Two guardian images may be an idea to consider:
Either the 'lion-dogs' common at the entrance of South Asian monasteries or two dharmapalas/vidyarajas you feel familiar with (Chinese, Japanese and Tibetan Buddhists doesn't use exactly the same palas, and for persons into Tibetan Buddhism or Shingon there may be reasons to choose carefully). , Some find a bell or singing bowl on a cushion useful. , However, it is not what you offer that is important: it is that it is done sincerely with a pure heart.
Since Buddhist monastics aren't allowed to eat after lunchtime, food, fruit and dairy offerings traditionally – and for symbolic reasons – occur in the morning or shortly before lunchtime.
Offerings of water, non-dairy beverages, candles, flowers and incense may, however, occur at other times of the day. , You can make a simple stūpa with a small pile of stones.
There is no need to go out and buy a costly gold one; that defeats the purpose of Buddhism. , Use it to water a plant or something.
A new cup or bowl should be used for this purpose: glass or crystal is preferable, because the clarity of the water represents clarity of the mind.
Some Buddhist schools use two water bowls: 'drinking' water and 'washing' water.
It is far from wrong to let flowers remain even after withering has begun:
The flowers serve to remind you of impermanence. , Touch the tip to your forehead, then light it.
See warning.
About the Author
William Torres
Enthusiastic about teaching hobbies techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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