7.1 Tending Buddhist Instruments, the Offered Fruit and Fruit Trays
Fruit should be washed and labels removed before offering.
Wenda 20111225 01:01:15
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Should we wash the fruit before offering them on the altar?
Master Lu: Of course, it is a way to show respect to Bodhisattvas; it is also a chance to accumulate merits and virtues. Don’t put the fruit on the altar straightaway after purchase, and 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.
Fruit can only be changed after the incense sticks finish burning
Wenda 20140606 01:11:05
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: We may need to change the fruit at the Guan Yin Citta Centre. Is it appropriate to change the fruit after the incense sticks finish burning but the oil lamps and the electric lotus lamps are still on?
Master Lu: Yes, you 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 fruit?
Master 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 fruit don’t go above the incense when you change them.
Frequency of changing fruit: Fruit can be changed every week or more often.
Wenda 20160124B 29:20
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: You mentioned before that the fruit on the altar can be changed on a weekly basis. For those with better financial capacity, how often can they change the fruit?
Master 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.
Caller: If we intend to change the fruit on a daily basis so that we can make offerings to Bodhisattvas every day, will that intention bring us more merits, Master?
Master Lu: Exactly, that’s how it is.
Caller: Thank you for answering my question, Master Lu.
Fruit turning bad should be replaced as soon as possible
Offering fresh fruit can accelerate the fulfilment of your wish, and the flowers and fruit on the altar must be changed at least every week. You need to keep them fresh and replace them if they start to spoil. Even though you don’t immediately have new ones to replace them, you mustn’t leave spoiled ones on the altar.
The fruit taken from the altar must not be offered to ancestors.
Issues regarding cleaning the fruit trays with detergent.
Wenda 20140720A 54:24
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: In the Guan Yin Citta Centre, the fruit that is offered needs to be fastened on the trays with sticky tape, and some marks may be left on the trays over time. Can we buy a special type of detergent to remove these marks? This detergent will only be used to clean the trays and will not be used in the kitchen.
Master Lu: You absolutely can. If you are willing to, you can also buy some new trays to replace the old ones, and that is also a meritorious deed.
Caller: I’d like to do so if my financial situation allows. I raised the idea of cleaning the trays with detergent and some practitioners said the trays may be tainted with the smell of detergent. Will that be a problem as these trays will be put on the altar?
Master Lu: The detergent can’t be used if it really gives off a scent.
Caller: It’s a sort of fragrance.
Master Lu: It should be fine then, but still not very good.
Caller: Can we use the detergent if it doesn’t have a nasty and awful smell?
Master Lu: You may, but it’s not good if it has a strong scent, even though it’s fragrant.
Caller: I see.
Fruit trays that will no longer be used need to be disposed of.
Wenda 20141228B 46:25
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: As the New Year is approaching, we are about to replace the used fruit trays in the Guan Yin Citta Centre with some new ones. How should we deal with the old ones?
Master Lu: You may dispose of them.
Caller: Should we put them away for a while before disposing of them?
Master Lu: Yes. It’s not a good thing to give others the used trays.
Should we recite sutras while cleaning the altar and moving the fruit trays?
Wenda 20120304 01:53:08
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: A practitioner need to wipe the altar with a clean cloth and move the fruit trays every week when they replace the fruit. Do they need to recite sutras while doing this?
Master Lu: It’s not a problem, but if they are keen, they may recite the Heart Sutra.
Caller: Do they recite the Heart Sutra while cleaning the altar?
Master Lu: Yes.
<Tending the Cups on the Altar>
Notes on cleaning the water cups on the altar, the cups can be replaced if there are yellow stains.
Wenda 20160124A 32:00
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Though Bodhisattvas’ images or statues must not be cleaned with detergent; can we clean the cups on the altar with detergent?
Master 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.
Caller: If the yellow stains on the brim can’t be removed, can we replace the cups with new ones?
Master Lu: Yes, you should.
Caller: What should we do with the old ones?
Master Lu: You may carefully wrap them up and dispose of them.
Caller: Sure.
Tending the Incense Burners and Cleaning the Incense Ash
- Unburnt incense sticks need to be cleared quickly.
- Incense ash that fell on the altar surface can be swept away with a clean brush.
- If the incense burner is filled to the brim with incense ash, you may put some ash on some paper and dispose of it after wrapping it up.
- The unburnt incense sticks in the burner can be picked out with tweezers. After clearing the unburnt incense sticks, you may flatten the remaining ash with an ash flattener.
About cleaning incense ash
Shuohua 20120309 26:57
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: My incense burner is very small, and the ash might fall out of the burner. If the ash is too full, it may also fall out onto the altar. Is that acceptable?
Master 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 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 Lu: Yes, it’s fine if you don’t wrap it up. You can just sweep it away.
How to dispose of used incense burners and incense ash?
Wenda 20130215 56:56
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: I have replaced my old incense burner with a new one, can I just wrap up the old one and dispose of it?
Master Lu: Yes.
Caller: Do I have to use red cloth to wrap it up?
Master Lu: You have to use red cloth.
Can we wrap up the incense ash that falls out of the burner and dispose of it?
Wenda 20120527B 36:15
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Can we wrap up the overflowing incense ash and dispose of it?
Master Lu: Yes, you can dispose of it after wrapping it up.
Question posted on Master Lu’s website, 4 September 2014 20:56
Dear Secretariat,
I want to clean my altar as my incense burner is too full. What should I pay attention to before and after cleaning? Also, the image of Guan Yin Bodhisattva is stained with some dust, how should I deal with that?
Thank you very much.
Reply from Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door Secretariat, 4 September 2014 23:48
Dear fellow practitioner,
You can clean the altar when the incense is not burning. Overflowing ash can be scooped out, wrapped up and disposed of.
The images of Bodhisattvas on the altar should not be touched carelessly. They do not require scrubbing. If they become too dusty, you may gently wipe them during the day while reciting the Heart Sutra.
May you progress well in practising Buddhism.
Thank you.
Secretariat of Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door
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.
- You can’t trim the flowers directly on the altar. They must be taken from the altar before trimming.
- Empty vases can’t be put on the altar.
Withered flowered on the altar must be disposed of in a timely manner.
ZongShu 20150728 27:14
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Master, could you please take a look at my altar? I’m kneeling in front of my altar right now.
Master Lu: There are too many flowers. You need to trim some of them. The withered ones should not be placed on the altar.
Caller: OK, thank you, Master.
<Notes on Cleaning the Images of Bodhisattvas>
How to clean the images of Bodhisattvas?
Shuohua 20140711 06:47
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Master, I have one more question. The face area of the Bodhisattva’s image on my altar is a little dusty, how should I clean it?
Master Lu: You can buy a very good quality, smooth cloth…
Caller: What colour?
Master 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 it not lit.
Caller: Do I need to dampen the cloth with water?
Master Lu: No, you shouldn’t dampen the cloth.
Caller: We have wiped the images with alcohol before.
Master Lu: No, you shouldn’t do that.
Caller: What about alcohol swabs?
Master Lu: No.
Caller: I see.
Questions regarding cleaning Bodhisattvas’ images with water.
Shuohua 20150703 16:43
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Master Lu, in your radio program you mentioned that Bodhisattva’s images can be wiped with a damp cloth, while on another occasion in the program you said not to use water. Could you please confirm which one is to be used?
Master Lu: It’s quite simple, if the material of the image can be wiped clean with a dry cloth, then you should use dry cloth. If not, you may use damp cloth.
Caller: Alright, Master.
You can only wipe the Bodhisattva’s images with clean water, and detergent should not be used.
Wenda 20140103 27:24
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: As the Lunar New Year is approaching, can we take the images of Bodhisattvas off the altar for a while to clean the altar? Can we clean the images with detergent?
Master Lu: Don’t do that. You can take the images off 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 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 Lu: Yes.
7.2 Questions Regarding Broken Buddhist instruments and Torn Images of Bodhisattvas
Accidentally breaking the cups on the altar.
Wenda 20141017 15:32
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Some practitioners accidentally broke the water cups when they were cleaning the altar, how many recitations of Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance should they recite?
Master Lu: Three should be enough as it was an accident. Bodhisattvas will not blame those who accidentally broke the cups as they didn’t do it intentionally. Though it wasn’t intentional, it’s still not a good thing. However, the Bodhisattvas will forgive them.
Caller: I see, Master. That’s all of my questions.
Images of Bodhisattvas were scratched during delivery
Shuohua 20160429 00:57
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Greetings, Master! A practitioner received a parcel of a Bodhisattva’s image, but the frame was broken and the image was scratched. Could you please tell us how many recitations of Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance the sender should recite, and how should the recipient mend the scratched image?
Master Lu: It depends on where the scratch is. If it’s not on Bodhisattva’s image but on the mountains and water in the background, it should be fine. But if the scratch is on Bodhisattva’s image, then she needs to replace it with another image.
Caller: The frame was broken as well and the fragments may have crushed the image. How many recitations of Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance should the sender recite?
Master Lu: If the image can’t be used, then the sender needs to recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance 7 times as it was not intentional, but still, he didn’t wrap the image carefully enough.
Caller: If the image can’t be placed on the altar, then should the recipient wrap it up and put it away?
Master Lu: Yes, same as usual.
How to recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance if the Bodhisattva’s statue is damaged during delivery
Shuohua 20160715 25:47
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Master, if Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s statues that were blessed at the Hong Kong Dharma convention are partially damaged during delivery, should we recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance 108 times for each part or in total?
Master Lu: Total.
Caller: Can we put these statues on the altar after mending?
Master Lu: You may if Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s body was not damaged.
Caller: If the vase that Guan Yin Bodhisattva was holding was broken, can we use another vase that has not been blessed yet as a substitute?
Master Lu: Yes.
<Other Questions>
Can we give used Buddhist instruments to other practitioners?
Wenda 20160124A 31:29
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Master, what type of used Buddhist instruments, such as incense burners, oil lamps, vase, or fruit trays can be given to others and which of them can’t?
Master Lu: All such instruments can be given to others.
Caller: Thank you, Master.
Note: However, the cups on the altar can’t be given to others.
What should we do if the ceiling above the altar is blackened?
ZongShu 20140107 13:29
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
An Excerpt
Caller: Master, could you please take a look at my altar? Is it bright?
Master Lu: It’s not bad.
Caller: The ceiling above the altar has been stained with a yellowish colour, should I paint it?
Master Lu: Whether you paint it or not, it should be fine. There are generally two solutions regarding this in temples. One is to leave it as it is because the smoke stain is generated by burning of incense and sandalwood incense over the years. There are also accumulated incense ash and candle wax on the altar. The other option is to keep it very clean. Different Dharma Doors hold different views regarding burning incense and candles, do you understand?
Caller: Yes, I understand.