altar
October 2008 
Altar
Blacksamba
http://blacksamba.zaadz.com/photos/album/1466
So I decided to set up an altar, according to the instructions by FPMT and Lama Zopa's book. I realized that in trying to determine what might be the right daily practise for me, that I could decide. I'm the boss. Venerable Robina taught me that. I can choose what I think works for me. So I started reading the book on setting up an altar, and noticed that I was getting confused and frustrated. So I decided to give myself a break. I told myself that I am doing the best I can. The intentions are positive. If it's not perfectly like the instructions say, it's ok.
This has been one of the main obstacles for me with Tibetan Buddhism. There is so much material, so many interpretations, so many practises, so many teachers, translations, pronounciations, etc. that it is really easy to become frustrated and discouraged. So I decided that I would decide and I would allow the process to be organic and flow.
So this is my alter for today. It has things that please the senses: many herbs from my garden, including rosemary, mint, sage and others. It has some nice, shiny, smooth rocks that are pleasant to touch and see. It has water bowls of saffron color. It has a bowl of beautiful colored and smelling incense. It has a Tibetan hand made brass singing bowl for pleasing sounds. It has a picture of Shakyamuni Buddha in the center. It has my beautiful Tibetan turquoise mala that my friend Sandy gave me on retreat, and a lot of nice rocks, including one that has the Om symbol on it, that Tysa has given me over the years. It has my favorite scented candles from my favorite neighborhood in Portland. It has a zen scripture on the wall, and a mala from my zen teacher, and another one from a jazz player that I knew. It has fresh flowers from my yard.
The idea is called the merit field.The purpose is to direct one's mind to be like the mind of the Buddha. The Buddha has transcended suffering, and is therefore blissful. So these items are 'offered' to the universe, the Buddhaverse as Bob Thurman calls it. Offerings are made because we have minds of attachment, and offering is the opposite of clinging. Isn't that just the nicest thing you ever heard? Well, I like it. What could possibly be bad about planting these positive seeds in one's mind? The Buddhas are blissed out, and we aspire to our own intrinsic Buddha nature.
Tayatha (it is like this). And may the merits of these activities benefit all beings.
-d
Access: Public
Well, Black Samba; thou have inspired me. You really have. The idea of having something in ones personal space to which provides a daily focus -even, a reminder. That have never occured to me in such a shape as that of a personal alter. I like this idea very much, and am seriously considering having myself and Shah do something similar for ourselves.
Thanks mate!
Thank you for sharing the pic of your altar. That was so much fun to see this morning. I think there are all the elements there? Just a bit dark in places.
It is said that our spirituality falls in line with the state of our altar. If you think about it, it is so true isn't it? I try now to pay attention to mine every day, keep it dust free and clean, fresh water, and light the candles when I can. I could not follow any prescribed method for setting one up, I had to follow my own heart. As a result mine appears about as eclectic as I am presently. :)
Would love to see pics again of your altar in six months time. Will there be changes do you think? :)
Namaste,
Di
Nice Altar : )
Ok I put up a picture with better light. Yes, it will change because Tysa told me last night that if I put the one table on top of the other table and put a colorful cloth over it, then it will be over eye level like it's supposed to be and more colorful. So I'll do that next. Also, one thing that is cool is to collect beautifully colored stones and so forth to put into an offering bowl as well. So that will grow.
thanks you guys for looking. it means a lot to me.
-d
You have sage. Excellent! Love the color of your beads. What is the calculator for? Is that what it is? Trying to see offhand what is the element of air there…. And what is the orange looking card? That looks very interesting. Is there a reason for four bowls of water? Love your Buddhas.
I have a stone with an Om engraved on it too. And a crystal dish with crystals on it of all kinds.
Thank you again for sharing, that was so great to look at. I would love to see other people's altars as well one day. What it is that speaks to each of us, and brings to us energy and a sense of our spirituality.
:)
Di
That's a timer from Radio Shack that I use for timing my meditation periods. The little orangey/yellow book is the Lama Zopa Vajrasattva practise book. That's a purification mantra and visualization. Very powerful. There are supposed to be at least 7 bowls, but they don't all have to be water. I didn't realize that when I got those at the thrift store. So I used a couple more clay bowls, the incense holder, to make it at least seven. It's 'in progress'. (-:
-d
That's a lovely altar ,it looks very peaceful.Cheers! joss
Great Altar. I'm a little jealous. :-)
I know what you mean about it being frustrating. I feel the same way sometimes.
yeah, it's a lot better now. check out the Altar folder in my Photos tab. Don't be jealous though, just buy some nice flowers and get some cool cloth and voila! you're happening.
-d