6.2 Procedures of setting up an altar

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Eng Audiovisual Book [Journey to Heaven & Hell]

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Setting Up an Altar

Wash your hands before the ceremony

1. Put the offerings on the altar. Using both hands, raise each of the Buddhist instruments slightly above your head before placing them on the altar. 1. Statues/images of Bodhisattvas. The numbers shown below represent the sequence in which the statues/images are to be respectfully placed on the altar from your perspective:   ③ Tai Sui Bodhisattva    ② Nanjing Bodhisattva   ① Guan Yin Bodhisattva   ④ Guan Di Bodhisattva (Guan Ping Bodhisattva, Guan Di Bodhisattva, Zhou Tsang Bodhisattva) 2. Incense burners 3. Oil lamp 4. Water cups 5. Fruit 6. Flowers.

2. Light the oil lamp. If you have an electrical lotus lamp, turn it on prior to lighting the oil lamp.

3. Light the incense Use the oil lamp to light up three incense sticks and in a vertical position, raise them up above your eyebrows and bow three times. Place the three incense sticks into the incense burner together. The tip of the incense should not point towards Bodhisattva.

4. Light the “grand incense” (sandalwood stick) – three times. After lighting the oil lamp and incense, light the sandalwood stick using the oil lamp, and extinguish the fire (do not blow it out with your mouth) – the smoke thus released is referred to as the “grand incense”, the fragrance of Bodhisattva. You may repeat this action three times.

5. Kneel in front of Bodhisattva and sincerely invite each Bodhisattva (say the following prayer three times to each Bodhisattva). “I, (your full name), sincerely invite the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva to enter the sacred image/statute of Bodhisattva on my altar”. Recite the Great Compassion Mantra seven times and the Heart Sutra seven times.
   ○ “May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva invite Nanjing Bodhisattva to enter the sacred image/statue of the Bodhisattva on my altar.” Recite the holy name of Nanjing Bodhisattva 108 times.
   ○ “May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva invite Tai Sui Bodhisattva to enter the sacred statue of the Bodhisattva on my altar”. Recite the holy name of Tai Sui Bodhisattva 108 times; Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou 21 times.
   ○ “May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva invite Guan Di Bodhisattva, Zhou Tsang Bodhisattva and Guan Ping Bodhisattva to enter the sacred images/statues of the Bodhisattvas on my altar”. Recite the holy names of the respective Bodhisattvas 108 times.
   ○ (Note: If the Bodhisattvas’ images/statues on the altar have been blessed by Master Lu, they may be put directly onto the altar and the above recitation step can be omitted. You may recite the Great Compassion Mantra and the Heart Sutra seven times each after inviting the Bodhisattvas to enter the images/statues.)  

6. Kneel and bow. Generally, make one or three prostrations to each Bodhisattva, or a total of 7 or 13 prostrations. 

7. Make vows. Refrain from the act of killing, be a vegetarian, offer morning and evening incense, share the Buddha-dharma and help others to be awakened spiritually, sponsor the printing of scripture booklets, make copies of CDs (the vows are to be made based on an individual’s determination and circumstances). As every person’s level of cultivation varies, one should assess their capabilities before making vows. There is no requirement for everyone to make a specific vow.

8. Make prayer requests. Based on one’s circumstances, make reasonable requests. For example, you may pray for good health, smooth career, a harmonious family, etc. 

9. Express gratitude to each Bodhisattva and perform full prostrations. Lastly, express gratitude to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas by performing 7 or 13 prostrations and say the below prayer:

“My deepest gratitude to Namo the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva;My deepest gratitude to Namo Nanjing Bodhisattva;
My deepest gratitude to Namo Tai Sui Bodhisattva;
My deepest gratitude to Namo Guan Di Bodhisattva, Namo Zhou Tsang Bodhisattva, Namo Guan Ping Bodhisattva (and all other Bodhisattvas that you may have on your altar);
My deepest gratitude to all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Dharma Protectors.”

10. Take a step back from the prayer mat.