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To left is my recipe box, to the right a fruit bowl which is empty at the moment (I need some oranges). In front, a dish for the hungry ghosts and a little cup of fresh water. The altar pedestal is an IKEA chopping board to fit the theme of "kitchen" How did I do (and what can I improve)?
This is just my humble opinion, but I'd say it's perfect as it is! No need to "improve" it (unless you feel called to change it).
Oh, and I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who has discovered the joys of buying altar supplies at IKEA.
For my main altar (non-kitchen) I have the same cutting board as a riser and my entire altar "structure" is an IKEA nightstand/end table. (See below.)
One suggestion if I may... Be careful the first time you burn that candle as even though it's small, it's awfully close to the shelf above it. If you're not planning to burn it, then no worries.
Need the latest study materials for Precepts study? Visit the link below: 2026 Ango/Jukai Precept Study Materials
"If someone asks / about the mind of this monk, / say it is no more than / a passage of wind / in the vast sky."
—Ryokan
By the way ... any altar is beautiful if it means something to you, reminds you of the Dharma. There can be a Buddha statue, a stone, an empty space. To the wise, there can be a rusty tin can or anything at all, because all Buddha even when hard to see.
To left is my recipe box, to the right a fruit bowl which is empty at the moment (I need some oranges). In front, a dish for the hungry ghosts and a little cup of fresh water. The altar pedestal is an IKEA chopping board to fit the theme of "kitchen" How did I do (and what can I improve)?
Your kitchen alter is lovely. I am going to think about where I could create such a space.
And, just an FYI, I was reading "Practices at a Zen Monastery" this week and one of the things that is mentioned is that Zen Zendo/Temple kitchens typically have a statue of Idaten. Idaten is the Buddhist guardian deity of speed and vigilance. Before the full service the Tenzo places a table before Idaten and offers the meal there first.
I would be interested in reading this myself; I find the Tenzo practice very interesting.
Who is this book's author?
Gassho,
Shosho
satlah
Hi Shosho,
The full Title is: Practices at a Zen Monastery – Clothing, Eating, Housing: Being in Harmony with the Dharma. By Tsugen Narasaki. However I have not been able to track down a physical copy.
Gassho, Shinshi
Sat-LaH
空道 心志 Kudo Shinshi
For Zen students a weed is a treasure. With this attitude, whatever you do, life becomes an art.
— Shunryu Suzuki
E84I - JAJ
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How did I do (and what can I improve)?
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