Than Hsiang's Pu Men Pin Online Gong Xiu Dharma Sharing (18/08/2023)

Than Hsiang Wan Ching Yuen’s committee, Bro. Chin Yee Loong sharing “Are There Any Taboos Concerning Practicing Buddhism at Home?”

There are many dos and don’ts in folk beliefs that are not orthodox Buddhism, but which are often mistakenly considered Buddhist taboos.

For instance:

Taboo: not recommended to clean out the incense burner daily. As an outcome：joss stick residue and ashes look messy and increase risk of fire.

Buddhist Practice: In monasteries：the incense burner in front of every Buddha statue which is kept tidy daily and they look clean and fresh as if they were being used for the first time.

Taboo: It is also common that during menstrual cycle, many female lay practitioners would abstain from entering monasteries to light incense in front of the Buddha, recite sutras, meditate, or chant mantras. These are actually taboos of low-level spirits and deities.

Buddhist Practice: There are female novices, bhikshunis, and female laities living in the monasteries. They are close to Buddhist statues, sutras, and various Dharma instruments on a daily basis; there is no issues of “clashes”.

Taboo: To consult feng-shui masters to select auspicious dates and orientation for setting up altars and conduct initiation ritual of Buddha statues.

From the perspective of respecting the local culture, this is understandable since the initiation ritual signifies prudence, and selecting a good time and location means seeking blessings and harmony.

Buddhist Practice: the buddhas and bodhisattvas are omnipresent and universally responsive.
- Triple Gem and divine guardians are everywhere.

- It would be fine, if you just select what you think is the most honorable location for the altar, and being sincere and respectful in mind while choosing an appropriate time to install the Buddha statue.

Some people think that they should not recite certain sutras or mantras at home, or in a certain two-hour time period, or that there is a certain time period where they can recite certain sutras or mantras.

Buddhist Practice: All sutras and mantras can be recited at anytime, anywhere (except for certain esoteric Buddhist sects) as long as it is done with sincerity and a respectful mind.
- It is encouraged that it be done in a quiet and clean place; the reciters should first purify themselves by washing hands and rinsing mouths, burn incense, and pay homage to the Buddha.

Where some family members practice Buddhism, but others believe in folk deities, is it all right to place the statues of the Buddha and folk deities on the same altar?

This should not be a problem, to just place the Buddha statue in the middle, flanked by bodhisattva statues. Statues of deities can be positioned beside bodhisattvas to protect the Triple Gem, and to offer an opportunity for the folk gods to be near the Triple to learn the Dharma and cultivate good karma.

After a family member changes his or her beliefs to Buddhism and obtains permission from the other family members, one should light incense, give offerings, pray to the deities, and then store the non-Buddhist statues away. This is to avoid having too many idols and cluttering the altar.

Many people don’t know how to dispose of incense ash, damaged sutras, statues, and other Buddhist paraphernalia; some of them even send these items to a monastery (or dispose at the roadside or under a tree).

Actually, you only need to burn the damaged items in a clean container at a clean and quiet place; then bury the ashes and remains underground. If the items are metal, you can store them away and handle them later as an antique or for recycling.

Flowers, fruits, food, tea, and beverages placed in front of Buddha statue are perishable items that should be changed daily.

If the food and fruits are still edible, don’t waste them; offer them to family members or use them in other ways.

If the items become rotten and inedible, they should be discarded.

No specific rule about the number of offerings on the altar. It can be even or odd numbers. For the sake of balance and symmetry, you may arrange an even number of offerings, but if there is concern over limited resources, finance, location and space, it would be fine to have an odd number of offerings.

With respect to quality and type of offerings, it all depends on one’s financial situation, and one should provide offerings within one’s means. There is no need to either skimp or be ostentatious.

The best times to practice is early morning and evening, when you are more relaxed and can focus and be devout.

Of course, you can practice at other times to suit your work schedule.

If there is absolutely no place to practice, you may sit in bed to practice.
In summary, one should practice with a peaceful and respectful attitude to attain a solemn and dignified state of mind.

Once we have taken refuge in the Triple Gem, we should no longer seek refuge in other religions or temples and centers associated with folk beliefs.
But we should still respect them. When entering a non-Buddhist church, temple or shrine, we could bow and join our palms to show respect. We should not treat other beliefs as the objects of devotion, but they can serve as objects of our outreach of friendship.

One word of caution: it is not advisable for one who has not attained a clear understanding of Dharma to read or study other religions; this is to avoid confusion and being misguided.

For more information, please browse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjg_e3TB6xA

Spread the Buddha's teachings to guide more people to study Buddhism.
Continue diligently in the path studying the Buddha's teachings and listening to the Dharma.
Follow us on:
https://linktr.ee/thanhsiang