home altar

[louis]

Re: home altar

Nice thing to have ones alter in ones pockets. (why can't I upload a bmp file?)

[pinoybuddhist]

Re: home altar

No altar for me. My wife and I are planning to have one in the future, though. There was some discussion in my family about dividing Dad's ashes (and I guess Mom's as well, now that she's dead) among us. So when our little butsudan is set up, there's gonna be two urns there along with Buddha.

[Shokai]

Re: home altar

Not sure what happened along the way that I never posted this picture for show and tell.
Lots to show, not much to tell:

[ChrisA]

Re: home altar

How do y'all use your altar during zazen? What procedures/rituals do you follow? When you're sitting, do you look at the stuff in there, or what?

[Dokan]

Re: home altar

The only two things I do with my altar is lighting of incense and ringing the bell. I start my sit by lighting the incense and touching it to my head three times (for the Jewels) and then just before I sit, I ring the bell three times and then once at the end of zazen. The incense I've done from the very beginning of my practice, I added the bells after joining Treeleaf as a mimicry of Jundo. I'm not sure if the ringing of the bells before/after zazen has a meaning, but I have always seen it as a parenthesis on my sit. (Also works to tell my house (wife & kids) to shut up as I'm about to sit...with loving-kindness). :twisted:

Gassho,

Shawn

[ChrisA]

Re: home altar

So you don't look at anything in there while you're sitting?

[Shokai]

Re: home altar

In the zendo the altar is a central focal point, NOT :shock: . Participants sit about the perimeter and face the wall (Soto shu) or inward (Rinzai). The body is erect and the eyes open gazing at a non-point (approx. 45° below horizon) not looking (outward, at least). The altar becomes an object in memory only and since one is NOW, the altar doesn't exist. So, why look at it

[ChrisA]

Re: home altar

Yes, I realize that is true for zendo altars, but I've seen some people who sit zazen facing their altars at home. I also do that, but focus only on the wall behind the altar or on my little rock (to prevent my eyes from crossing!).

[Dokan]

Re: home altar

So you don't look at anything in there while you're sitting?

I look at non-looking. Basically I keep my eyes un-focused (as I also 'try' to do with my mind). I feel Dogen teaches it perfect in Fukanzazengi:

"At the site of your regular sitting, spread out thick matting and place a cushion above it. Sit either in the full-lotus or half-lotus position. In the full-lotus position, you first place your right foot on your left thigh and your left foot on your right thigh. In the half-lotus, you simply press your left foot against your right thigh. You should have your robes and belt loosely bound and arranged in order. Then place your right hand on your left leg and your left palm (facing upwards) on your right palm, thumb-tips touching. Thus sit upright in correct bodily posture, neither inclining to the left nor to the right, neither leaning forward nor backward. Be sure your ears are on a plane with your shoulders and your nose in line with your navel. Place your tongue against the front roof of your mouth, with teeth and lips both shut. Your eyes should always remain open, and you should breathe gently through your nose.

Once you have adjusted your posture, take a deep breath, inhale and exhale, rock your body right and left and settle into a steady, immobile sitting position. Think not-thinking. How do you think not-thinking? Non-thinking. This in itself is the essential art of zazen."

Hope that helps or at least doesn't confuse things more.

gassho,

S

[ChrisA]

Re: home altar

Yes! Look at non-looking. That nails it. Gassho!

[Kaishin]

Re: home altar

I'd really like something like this

http://www.meditationpracticesupplies.com/product/BW345

Close-up shot: http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/boonmee_2179_1252527455

as I don't have much room and it would be nice to be able to close everything up and tuck it away. But man that's pricey. I can't imagine it would be too tough to build one for someone with some decent woodworking skills (not me!). :mrgreen:

Maybe a possible side business for those of you who have spouses who are good woodworkers (hint hint Jen and Shawn )

[Jiki22]

Re: home altar

one of the four i have,
kitchen, bedroom, livingroom and outside

this one is in the kitchen

[Dokan]

Re: home altar

Maybe a possible side business for those of you who have spouses who are good woodworkers (hint hint Jen and Shawn )

Haha, I read this to her to plant the seed...will keep watering it and let you know.

s

[Rev R]

Re: home altar

I mentioned this in a previous thread on home altars but I'll mention it here and see if it is useful to anyone. I usually put together my altar to represent the five elements.

stones or plants= Earth
cup of water= Water
incense burner= Air
candles= Fire
Buddha= Void/Emptiness

Probably more a throwback to my "neo-pagan" days, but it is fun to play with a mythic framework from time to time.

[Emmet]

Re: home altar