Time : Saturday 2pm-4.20pm
Platform : ZOOM Cloud Meeting
Topic of Discussion : THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A BUDDHIST ALTAR (Part 2)
On 19 December 2020, Guan Yin Citta, Singapore held another online English Group Study, focusing on certain pertinent areas relating to the significance of a Buddhist altar in a continuation of the previous session.
The session started off with a short video playback on 33 Manifestation of Guan Yin Bodhisattva – Guan Yin of Complete Light to reemphasise the importance of having an altar at home. Having one is akin to inviting an insurmountable amount of blazing Buddha-lights into one’s home.
The facilitator presented on the proper etiquettes to observe when performing prayer. Unbeknown to many, the prayer mats are not to be sat on. One should wait for 15 minutes after defecation and five hours after any intimate acts before worshipping Bodhisattva. Only clean water is to be used for wiping the Bodhisattva’s images.
The session also discussed about the importance of having a dedicated mini Buddhist altar where condition does not allow one to set up a formal altar. A mini altar serves as a transit station for Bodhisattva to bestow blessings on us. The participants were reminded not to kneel or perform prostrations before a mini Buddhist altar.
The facilitator also gave some guidance on Guan Yin Bodhisattva pendant, which serves as a conduit for us to receive protection and blessings from Guan Yin Bodhisattva, provided we perform recitations and cultivate our minds daily. A pendant that has dropped in the toilet or any other filthy places should never be worn again and for this, one must recite 49 times of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance.
The online group study will take a two-week break and regroup on 9 January 2021. In the upcoming session, everything about the Little Houses will be presented.
Let us now look at some comments from participants:
I must confess that every time at the start of each class, I would always feel a strong energy shift on me and the many “ah ha” moments either during or after the class.
Ever since joining the class, I have so much to gain and nothing to lose, more so for a totally English literate person like me.
?Join us in our next session
Please contact Loh SX (96978356) / Woan Yi SX (82182248) for more information
⏰ Date and time:
Saturday 9 Jan 2021 (2.oopm – 4.00pm)
Please click here to download the Summary Slides shared during the Group Study:
Summary Slides_The Significance of A Buddhist Altar (Part 2)
WHAT ARE WE LEARNING TODAY?
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Proper Etiquettes in praying
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Cleaning and Maintaining a Buddhist Altar
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Mini Buddhist Altar for performing recitation
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Guan Yin Bodhisattva Pendant
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Frequently Asked Questions
< THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A BUDDHIST ALTAR (PART 2) >
33 Manifestation of Guan Yin Bodhisattva
Guan Yin of Complete Light (圆光菩萨)
As Bodhisattva says, having a Buddhist altar at home is just like inviting an insurmountable number of blazing lights into your home — Bodhisattva will be here to protect and bless you.
In the video, Guan Yin Bodhisattva saw a house covered with Buddha-light and went over to examine what happened. The lady’s house was very simple but still worshipped Guan Yin Bodhisattva statue on the altar. Guan Yin Bodhisattva noticed the lady has been sincerely praying to the Buddha, so decided to save the villagers. It is because we make offerings to Bodhisattva that our heart will be lit up by Buddha light, allowing us to avoid calamities when they arise!
<Proper Etiquette In Praying >
Wenda20120614 18:39 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
PAYING RESPECTS TO BODHISATTVAS AT THE GUAN YIN CITTA PRACTICE CENTRE
Master Jung Hong Lu: First of all, the prayer mats mustn’t be sat on. Many people are unaware of that. They would sit on the mats and then perform prostration on them. However, there is both Yin and Yang on the human body.
The lower body contains Yin while the upper body contains Yang, and they should not be mixed on the same mat.
Secondly, you must clean your hands before changing the water on the altar.
Do not touch the rim of the cup of Great Compassion Water, and you must not swap different Bodhisattvas’ cups. This requires your attention.
When you insert the incense, you should silently recite, ‘My gratitude to Guan Yin Bodhisattva. I, (your name), am offering incense to Bodhisattvas. May the Bodhisattvas bless me’.
You don’t have to pray for anything when offering the incense, you can start saying your prayers after making prostrations.
Wenda20161113A 48:30 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
REVERENCE MATTERS THE MOST
When you worship the Bodhisattvas at the prayer hall, you must dress properly, keep your voice down, and wash your hands before paying respect to the Bodhisattvas. Look at the Bodhisattvas first before offering incense.
Do not offer incense and perform the ritual of worship while there is someone taking a shower.
Wenda20161113A 48:30 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
You must be clean when performing recitation, otherwise you should not do it. If you have just performed intimate acts, you must wait for a while before worshipping Bodhisattvas. Generally, you have to wait for 15 minutes after using the toilet and five hours after performing intimate acts as the filthy aura would cling to you.
[Note: According to the 2OR official website, the term ‘using the toilet’ here refers to defecation rather than urination.]
Wenda20140704 19:35 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
DRESS CODE FOR WORSHIPPING BODHISATTVAS
Caller: Is it true that we cannot wear slippers when worshipping Bodhisattvas at home?
Master Jun Hong Lu: If it’s summer, it may not be a problem, but you shouldn’t if it’s winter. You should not wear slippers when paying respect to Bodhisattvas, it’s better if you can be more dignified. Although the Bodhisattvas wouldn’t mind if it’s intolerably hot, it’s still better to dress up properly as a way of showing respect to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas from the Pure Land.
Caller: Should we usually wear trousers that cover our knees when we pray to the Bodhisattvas?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, you must. You shouldn’t wear improper dress, because, by being disrespectful, you may inviteunnecessary troubles. You must not pay respects to Bodhisattvas with slippers on. You must take them off before going to the prayer mat. Even wearing socks or going barefoot is better than wearing slippers.
Wenda20120513B 47:25(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
LADIES MUST WEAR LONG TROUSERS WHEN PAYING RESPECT TO BODHISATTVAS
Caller: Master, you mentioned that we should wear trousers that cover our knees at worships, and we shouldn’t wear short pants, let alone skirts at worship.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Your trousers should be like the suit pants that men normally wear, the long ones.
Caller: The ones that cover your knees?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, and you have to wear underwear inside.
Caller: Sure.
Shuohua 20121019 23:35 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
MAKING PROSTRATIONS DURING MENSTRUATION
Caller: If it’s not proper for female practitioners to make prostrations to the Bodhisattvas during their period, can they just stand there with their palms together and bow?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Making prostrations during menstruation is not forbidden, you can keep yourself clean and perform a short prostration and leave once you’re finished. A human being’s body is defiled even without menstruation, and you should not prohibit others from performing prostrations.
Caller: I see.
< Cleaning & Maintaining a Buddhist Altar >
Wenda20111225 01:01:15 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
FRUITS SHOULD BE WASHED AND LABELSREMOVED BEFORE OFFERING
Caller: Should we wash the fruits before offering them on the altar?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Of course, you’ve shown your respect to Bodhisattvas by washing the fruit, and it is a chance to accumulate merits and virtues. Do not put the fruit on the altar without washing them. You also need to remove the labels on the fruit.
When you change the fruit on the altar, you need to change the whole tray rather than individual ones.
Wenda20140606 01:11:05 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
FRUITS CAN ONLY BE CHANGED AFTER THE INCENSE STICKS FINISH BURNING
Caller: We may need to change the fruit at the Guan Yin Citta Practice Centre. Is it appropriate to change the fruits after the incense sticks finish burning but the oil lamps and the electric lotus lamps are still on?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, better change them after the incense finishes burning.
Caller: The incense has finished burning, but the oil lamps and electric lotus lamps are still on, and there are practitioners reciting scriptures in the centre as well. Can we take the fruit from the altar, wipe the surface of the altar, change flowers, and put on fresh fruits?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You can do so even if the incense is still burning as long as you have told the Bodhisattvas in advance. Make sure the fruits don’t go over the incense when you change them.
Wenda20160124B 29:20 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
FREQUENCY OF CHANGING THE FRUITS: FRUITS CAN BE CHANGED EVERY WEEK OR MORE OFTEN
Caller: Master, you mentioned before the fruits on the altar can be changed on a weekly basis. For those with better financial capacity, how often can they change the fruit?
Master Jun Hong Lu: There’s no strict requirement, you may even change the fruit every two or three days. If you are a housewife who can spare more time at home and want to perform more virtuous deeds, you may even change the fruit on a daily basis.
Wenda20120304 01:53:08 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
SHOULD WE RECITE SUTRAS BEFORE CLEANING THE ALTAR AND MOVING THE FRUIT TRAYS?
Caller: Practitioners need to wipe the altar with a clean cloth and move the fruit trays every week when they change the fruit on the altar. Do they need to recite sutras regarding this?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It’s not a problem, they may recite the Heart Sutra several times if they wish to be cautious.
Caller: Should they recite the Heart Sutra while cleaning the altar?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes.
Wenda20160124A 32:00 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
TENDING THE CUPS ON THE ALTAR
Cleaning the cups on the altar – the cups can be replaced if there are yellow stains.
Caller: Though Bodhisattvas’ images must not be cleaned with detergent; can we clean the cups on the altar with detergent?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It depends. The cups should not be washed too frequently. You may occasionally use detergent, keep your hands clean and make sure the cups are thoroughly rinsed.
Wenda20120309 26:57 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
TENDING THE INCENSE BURNERS AND CLEANING THE INCENSE ASH
Caller: My incense burner is very small, and the ash may fall out of the burner. If the ash is too full, it may also fall out onto the altar. Is that acceptable?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, as you can clean it off. Sweep it away with a clean brush.
Caller: Should I keep the incense burner less full?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Make sure it’s not too full. You can scoop out the overflowing ash and wrap it in paper. There’s also a sort of ash catcher, a thin frame that can be fixed onto the brim of the burner, that can prevent ash from falling out. Although the incense burner may be too small, the ash will not fall out if you cover the brim with an ash catcher which looks like a funnel.
Caller: Should I wrap up the fallen ash and dispose of it?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, it’s fine if you don’t wrap it up. You can just sweep it away.
ZongShu20150728 27:14 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
TENDING THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR
Vases on the altar must be kept clean and require regular changes of water and washing.
The pollen from the lilies and withered petals need to be removed in a timely manner.
Do not trim the flowers directly on the altar. They must be taken from the altar before trimming.
Do not put empty vases on the altar.
Shouhua20140711 06:47 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
CLEANING THE IMAGES OF BODHISATTVAS
Caller: Master, I have one more question. The face area of my Bodhisattva’s image is a little dusty, how should I clean it?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You can buy a very good quality, smooth cloth…
Caller: What colour?
Master Jun Hong Lu: A new piece of cloth. The colour doesn’t matter, either yellow or white would be fine. You can gently wipe the image when the incense is not lit.
Caller: Do I need to dampen the cloth with water?
Master Jun Hong Lu: No, you shouldn’t dampen the cloth.
Caller: We have wiped the images with alcohol before.
Master Jun Hong Lu: No, you shouldn’t do that.
Caller: What about alcohol swabs?
Master Jun Hong Lu: No.
Caller: I see.
[Note: In Shuohua20150703 16:43 – Master Lu said if the material of the image can be wiped clean with a dry cloth, then you should use dry cloth. If not, then you may use damp cloth.]
Wenda20140103 27:24 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
YOU CAN ONLY WIPE THE BODHISATTVA’S IMAGE WITH CLEAN WATER, AND DETERGENT SHOULD NOT BE USED
Caller: As the Lunar New Year is approaching, can we take the images of Bodhisattvas down from the altar to do a quick cleaning? Can we clean the images with detergent?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Don’t do that. You can take the images from the altar when the incense is not lit, but you shouldn’t wipe the images with detergent, you can only wipe them with water.
Caller: Many practitioners have said the dust and grease on the images can hardly be wiped clean with just water.
Master Jun Hong Lu: You can’t wipe Bodhisattva’s face with detergent, and that’s all I can say.
Caller: Then we just need to gently wipe it, is it right?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes.
< HOW TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH BODHISATTVA? >
If you have a Buddhist altar at home, you can pray and talk to Guan Yin whenever there is a need. You can do it when offering incense in the morning and evening or anytime of the day. Your mind will be focused when you gaze at Guan Yin Bodhisattva statue or image.
< Mini Buddhist Altar for Performing Recitation >
Wenda20200329 10:58 & Wenda20200410 34:04 (Master Jun Hong Lu‘s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
THE IMPORTANCE OF SETTING UP A DEDICATED MINI BUDDHIST ALTAR (小佛台)
A dedicated mini Buddhist altar is like a transit station, where Bodhisattva can see you via this station and is aware that you are performing recitation, and thus bestows blessings on you.
With a mini altar, your recitation will be much more efficacious than without one. This is a manifestation of Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s compassion for you.
All it takes is an image and an incense burner. With that, you will at least have a place for spiritual cultivation in your mind.
By placing an image of Bodhisattva at the place where you usually perform recitation and dot Little Houses, it is equivalent to wearing a Bodhisattva pendant in your mind. This is where the significance of a mini altar lies.
Q&A 171. Dedicated mini Buddhist altar for performing recitation
Q&A 171. Dedicated mini Buddhist altar for performing recitation
Wenda20200717 30:11 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
PRAYERS FOR SETTING UP A MINI ALTAR
Caller: Master, you mentioned in your previous discourse that we may recite 7 times of Great Compassion Mantra and Heart Sutra each. How do we state our prayers before the recitation?
Master Jun Hong Lu: May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva help me XXX (your full name). I now sincerely set up the altar.
Caller: Thank you, Master.
< Guan Yin Bodhisattva Pendant >
Q&A 103 Things to be aware of when and wearing a Guan Yin Bodhisattva pendant
Q&A 103. Things to be aware of when wearing a Guan Yin Bodhisattva pendant
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 137) 8 December 2016
Question: I was changing clothes in my bedroom to get ready for a shower. When I was about to take off the Guan Yin Bodhisattva pendant that I was wearing, I accidentally dropped it onto the floor.
I picked it up immediately and repented to Guan Yin Bodhisattva. There was no damage to the pendant. However, on that night,
I dreamed that when I was waiting to cross the road, my pendant dropped again onto the ground and was broken into halves horizontally. Can I still wear the pendant? How many times of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance should I recite with regard to this?
Answer: If Dharma Protectors were right beside you and witnessed it when you dropped the pendant, then you are not supposed to wear the pendant anymore.
In that case, you have to recite 17 times of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance. Conversely, if there wasn’t any Dharma Protector around you at that time, whereby you won’t have this dream at all, then you may still wear it provided it is not too filthy.
Wenda20131108 37:00 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller: If we have to attend a funeral, what are the things that we need to be cautious about?
Master Lu Jun Hong: Firstly, attending a funeral is not good.
Caller: But at times, we have to attend.
Master Lu Jun Hong: Then just attend! In the past, we would have to “step across the ring of fire” and do not go straight home after attending a funeral. Nowadays, after the memorial service, it’s best not to head straight back home. Rather, you can stroll around the shopping centre.
Caller: Some elderly would suggest that we bring along some matchsticks or scissors with us when attending a funeral.
Master Lu Jun Hong: No, no, these items are used to fight with spirits, don’t do it. Wearing a Guan Yin Bodhisattva amulet will do, and you shall not fear. (Oh, you mean the amulet in the form of a card, or the one in the form of a pendant?) The pendant type of amulet will do. If you wear those pendant amulets blessed by Master Lu, you do not need to fear anymore wherever you go. (OK, can I put it in my pocket?) Yes, you can.
Master Jun Hong Lu’s Discourse (Question 303)
Question: If we wish to place our pendant with image of Bodhisattva on the Buddhist altar before going to bed, which side of the altar should we place it on? Is there any sutra/mantra that we should recite for this?
Answer: Either side of the altar is fine. However, do not place it in the middle, in front of the statue/image of Guan Yin Bodhisattva. Put it on after offering the morning incense and you will have smooth fortunes and be protected. It is not necessary to recite sutras for this purpose.
< Frequency Asked Questions >
Wenda20160124A 31:29 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
CAN WE GIVE USED BUDDHIST INSTRUMENTS TO OTHERS?
Caller: Master, what Buddhist instruments that have been used for a few years, such as incense burners, oil lamps, vase, or fruit trays can be given to others? Which of them can’t be given to others?
Master Jun Hong Lu: All such instruments can be given to others.
Caller: Thank you Master.
[ Note: The cups on the altar cannot be given to others. ]
Wenda20120629 01:18:19 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
HOW TO DEAL WITH INCENSE BOXES WITH BODHISATTVAS’ IMAGE
Caller: In terms of paying respect to the Bodhisattvas, I offer sandalwood incense at home. But on the box, there are Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s images. I have around four or five of these boxes, how should I deal with them?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You can wrap them up, keep them for a while and then dispose them.
Wenda20141130A 21:07 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
MOVING THE ALTAR TO THE NEW HOME FIRST
Caller: When we move houses, is it enough just to recite the Heart Sutra while moving?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You need to move the altar to the new home first then move other things after setting up the altar.
Caller: Sure. Can we just recite the Heart Sutraduring the process? Do we need to recite other sutras?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You should recite the Great Compassion Mantra rather than the Heart Sutra. Recite the Great Compassion Mantra as many times as you can along the way.
Master Jun Hong Lu: If you encounter trouble, recite the Great Compassion Mantra as you shouldn’t recite the Heart Sutra too many times at night.
Caller: I see, so I just need to recite more Great Compassion Mantra, whatever I encounter?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes.
Wenda20161113A 39:22 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
QUESTIONS REGARDING LOTUS LAMPS
Caller: Master, could you please explain the meaning of lotus lamps for us?
Master Jun Hong Lu: What kind of lotus lamps?
Caller: Electric ones.
Master Jun Hong Lu: It’s not a problem if you don’t have them. Lotus lamps must not be crooked or twisted, they better be straight even if there’s only one lotus flower.
Master Jun Hong Lu: What is the meaning of having a lotus lamp on the altar? Lotus flowers are pure white and undefiled just as your innate nature.
By offering lotus lamps, you are making offerings to Bodhisattvas with a pure heart. But you shouldn’t offer the crooked, twisted and deformed lotus lamps.
Caller: Ok, is there a requirement for the colour?
Master Jun Hong Lu: It’s better for them to be white or yellow. Yellow is the sort of golden light and white indicates purity.
Caller: There are some pink and light red ones on the market.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Pink ones are fine as well. Lotuses are usually pink when they start to bloom and turn white in the end.
Caller: Thank you for the explanation, Master.
Wenda20120805A 47:34 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
PROCEDURE FOR LIGHTING SANDALWOOD
Firstly, raise the sandalwood above your forehead and make a bow;
Secondly, light the sandalwood with the oil lamp. You may hold the end of the sandalwood, but your hands must be clean. If the sandalwood is too short, you may also use tweezers to light it. Once it’s burning, leave it for a while;
Thirdly, put out the flames with your hand or by shaking it. Hold the sandalwood in your hand and put it above the incense burner. Its smoke will start to rise, and this is called ‘Rising Smoke’ (昂烟).
Fourthly, after the smoke has dissipated, light the sandalwood again with the oil lamp, hold it above the incense burner and put out the flame. Once the flame is extinguished, the sandalwood smoke will rise.
Repeat the third step three times and put the sandalwood in the incense burner. You don’t have to extinguish it, just leave it in the incense burner.
Wenda20120914 09:11 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
A VOW MADE DURING THE CURLING OF INCENSE AND THE FORMING OF LOTUS SHAPES ON THE OIL LAMP WICK IS VERY LIKELY TO BE REALISED
Caller: Master, when I was reciting sutras at home, the incense ash curled, and I knew the Bodhisattvas were there. I immediately prayed to Guan Yin Bodhisattva, ‘May Guan Yin Bodhisattva bless me (my name) so that I would be courageous and determined on my way to practising Buddhism.’ Should I have prayed like that or should I have kept reciting sutras, or should I have made another wish when the incense ash curled?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You are very clever. When the incense ash curls, you should immediately make a vow to the Bodhisattvas. It’s likely to be realised. It’s similar to offering incense on the 1st and 15th of every lunar month because the Bodhisattvas are present.
That’s the reason why many people come to pray at the Guan Yin Citta Practice Centre, Bodhisattvas are always there. Therefore, if your incense starts to curl and the oil lamp wick forms a lotus shape, you know that Bodhisattvas are there and should make a vow immediately, and your wish will come true.
Caller: Ok, I see.
Wenda20120422B 41:53 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
ALTARS, SHRINES AND ANCESTOR TABLETS SHOULD NOT BE PUT TOGETHER
Caller: Hi Master, can I put the statues of the Kitchen God and the Five Earth Dragon God (灶王菩薩和五土龍神) on the same shrine ?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Both of them are earthly deities, you may put these two deities on the same shrine but you must separate them from Bodhisattvas. The altar for Bodhisattvas must be different from the shrine for deities. You may have one of each at home.
Caller: My statues of deities and ancestral tablets are on the same altar. Can I keep using this altar after taking the ancestral tablets away?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You may put your ancestral tablets and statues of deities on the same shrine and put the images of Bodhisattvas on your altar.
Wenda20150906 42:56 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
HOW TO HELP PRACTITIONERS SET UP ALTARS IN A PROPER WAY?
Master Jun Hong Lu: We need to perform good deeds and setting up altars is deemed as a greatly virtuous deed. But you should bear in mind that setting up altars is not a promotion. If you help them set up an altar against their will, you may bear their karma if they stop offering incense and paying respect to Bodhisattvas, or even dismantling the altar or doing other disrespectful things to the altar. Do you understand this?
Caller: Yes, Master.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Thus, it’s better if you help others set up altars or donate some Buddhist instruments or Bodhisattvas’ images for the altar at their request. You can’t delude others into thinking Bodhisattvas have visited their places so that they would set up an altar, it’s not appropriate.
If they are deceived by these tricks and set up an altar, they would immediately remove the altar because they feel that their prayers are not being answered, and they would develop bad karma by doing so. I have been spreading the Dharma for many years and I never force others to set up altars. You shouldn’t forcefully make others set up altars because you may be responsible if they commit speech karma or bodily karma. Is that clear?
Wenda20140126A 05:19 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
DO NOT SET UP AN ALTAR HASTILY WHEN YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS DON’T BELIEVE IN BUDDHISM AT ALL
I never wish people to set up an altar when their family members do not believe in Buddhism at all. It can make things worse if you set up an altar while your family members have little belief in it as they may defame the Buddhas. Defaming Bodhisattvas will bring retribution on them. The karma is also yours as you are the one that triggered the profaning and blasphemy.
Wenda20150703 41:54 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
WHY MY HUSBAND STILL DOESN’T ALLOW ME TO SET UP AN ALTAR AFTER YEARS OF PRACTICE?
Caller: Master, I haven’t been able to set up an altar. I’ve even decided the position, but my husband keeps disagreeing setting up the altar. What should I do to set up the altar?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Your affinity to set up an altar has not ripened yet. You can keep reciting sutras for your husband.
Caller: Will he become a Buddhist in the future?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Were you a Buddhist in the past? You need to carefully ruminate on my words as I won’t give you a straightforward answer. I usually give examples to facilitate your enlightenment. My answers tend to be inspirational.
Wenda20120527B 55:34 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
HOW TO WORSHIP WEN CHANG BODHISATTVA AND THE LOCATION OF THE WEN CHANG POSITION (文昌位)
Caller: Can we pay respect to the Wen Chang Bodhisattva in the way we worship the Tai Sui Bodhisattva? Can we print the Wen Chang Bodhisattva’s name on a yellow paper and keep it in a golden frame?
Master Jun Hong Lu: You are very clever, you can absolutely do that.
Shuohua2010601 23:57 (Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program – an excerpt)
LOCATION FOR WEN CHANG
Caller: Is my Wen Chang Position correct?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Your Wen Chang position should be fine as long as it’s a very bright place. You may put it on the left-hand side of the study desk over where the sun shines.
Caller: Do I just need to expose the left side of the study desk to light?
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, a lamp can also count if there’s no sunlight.
< Buddhism in Plain Terms < 白话佛法共修分享