 Creating a Simple Buddhist Shrine All Buddhist traditions have shrine-rooms or a shrine. These vary from being very simple to very elaborate according to the wealth available and the tradition. For some ceremonies or prayers special shrine arrangements are needed and details of these requirements are given within the relevant texts.
Your own shrine can vary according to your own tastes and also according to your own level of understanding.
A simple shrine consists of a single platform with a picture or image of the Buddha and perhaps a candle or flower. A slightly more complicated shrine consists of two platforms. On the higher of the two is the image of the Buddha in the centre with Guru Rinpoche on the right and a picture of your Tsawi Lama on the left. Behind the Buddha is a religious (Dharma) book, such a copy of a sutra and in front of the Buddha can be a stupa containing relics, or perhaps a bell and dorje. The lower platform holds the offerings of food, incense, flowers, water and candles (or light).
A still more elaborate shrine has three levels:
The highest level: A Buddha, slightly raised above the other images in the centre, a Guru Rinpoche image on the right and Avolokitesvara on the left. A picture of the Tsawi Lama stands in front of the Buddha.
The Middle Level: Dharma books in the centre, a yidam image (such as Dorje Phagno or Khorlo Demchog) on the right and a Protector (such as Mahakala or Mahakali) on the left. On either the right or left can be a bell and dorje and a stupa containing relics.
The lowest level: all the offerings including food, water, incense, flowers, light etc. and anything else you may wish to offer.
For all these descriptions, on the right means on the shrine's right, that is on your left as you face the shrine.
If you can afford to do so it is best to have a separate room for your shrine. If possible this should be upstairs or in an attic which is quiet, not used for other things and through which people do not have to pass to get elsewhere. If this is not possible, then it is wise to use a corner of a sitting room or study. Do not put your shrine in line with the door; arrange it so that it can be sectioned off when the room is used for other purposes. Failing this, you can use a small cupboard in your bedroom but this should be above the head of the bed. Such a shrine should be covered or closed at all times except when you do your prayers and meditations.
The offerings on the shrine must be changed regularly and the cloth used to cover it kept only for this purpose. Do not lie down there or sit with your feet stretched out towards the shrine. Never sit on religious objects or books. Always be decently dressed in your shrine room. Short skirts are not suitable for a shrine room. You should always try to sit at a lower level than the shrine. Try to save a little of the money you would normally spend on things for yourself and use it to make offerings to your shrine and to provide food and clothing for poor people. Never offer anything to the shrine than you have not bought or grown yourself. | |
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