6.1 Etiquette and taboos about altar
Reverence matters the most
Wenda20161113A 48:30
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
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 pay respect to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas while someone is taking a shower.
Refrain from paying respect to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas within 15 minutes after using the toilet or within five hours after having intimate acts.
Wenda 20161113A 48:30
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
If you have just performed intimate acts or done something filthy, 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 defiled atmosphere would cling to you. (Note: According to the response of Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door Secretariat, the term “using the toilet” here refers to defecation rather than urination.)
Dress code for worshipping Bodhisattvas
Wenda 20140704 19:35
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Is it true that we cannot wear sandals when worshipping Bodhisattvas at home?
Master 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 wear something more proper. Although the Bodhisattvas wouldn’t mind if it’s very hot, it’s still better to dress up as a way to show respect to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Caller: Should we usually wear trousers that cover our knees when we pray to the Bodhisattvas?
Master Lu: Yes, you must. You shouldn’t wear casually as bad things may be attracted by your disrespect. 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 slippers.
Ladies must wear trousers when paying respect to Bodhisattvas
Wenda 20120513B 47:25
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: 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 Lu: Your trousers should be like the suit pants that men normally wear, the long ones.
Caller: The ones that cover your knees?
Master Lu: Yes, and you have to wear underwear inside.
Caller: Sure.
Look at the Bodhisattvas before worship.
Wenda 20131229A 03:05
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: In the morning, I usually just say “I pay respect to Guan Yin Bodhisattva” three times.
Master Lu: It’s better if you can say the names of each Bodhisattva when you pay respect to them. You need to look at the Bodhisattvas and bow. You can’t say it without looking at the Bodhisattvas. You need to look at all three Bodhisattvas.
Notes on paying respects to Bodhisattvas at the Guan Yin Citta Centre
Wenda 20130614 18:39
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Master 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 belongs to 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 mix up 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.
Caller: I see. Should we do the same when we continue offering incense after the previous one finishes burning?
Master Lu: Yes. Also keep in mind that you should not speak loudly in the temple. That’s very important as well.
Questions regarding making prostrations during menstruation.
Shuohua 20121019 23:35
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
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 Lu: Making prostrations during menstruation is not forbidden, but 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 that doesn’t mean we are not allowed to make prostrations.
Caller: I see.
Auspicious days for setting up an altar
Choose: The 1st or 15th day of every lunar month; the mornings of Bodhisattvas’ birthdays.
Avoid: Gloomy, stormy or rainy days.
Best time: 8 am, 10 am.
Set up an altar at home as soon as possible.