There are certain requirements for placing Buddha statues at home. If not placed properly, it will be disrespectful. You can learn from this.
Place Buddhist niches
1. From the inside out Facing outward, Buddhist niches or altars are placed from the home toward the door, and from the hall toward the outside. That is to say, it should be facing the door. However, if this requirement cannot be met due to environmental restrictions, it should also be faced in the direction of the door. Avoid rushing towards the door, that is, seeing a Buddhist niche or altar as soon as you enter the house [refers to being too close to the door] ], keep a certain distance from the door;
2. It should be placed in a quiet place, and the place should be quiet and tidy. It is best not to have speakers, TVs, etc. near Buddhist niches or altars;
3. Do not face the bed. Not facing the dining table. In the kitchen and toilet, the Bodhisattva saw indecent behavior and fishy food. If conditions are limited, some places the Buddhist niche or altar in the bedroom, and then use a yellow cloth curtain to block it when sleeping.
4. The Buddhist niche or altar must have a backing, and the back should not be empty. The next door to the wall cannot be the toilet or kitchen
5. Buddhist niches or altars should not be placed under beams.
6. If conditions permit, the niche or altar set up should not be too low and the height should be moderate.
7. The number of offerings should be single, not double, such as offering to Bodhisattvas. And other gods, Bodhisattva should be on top and gods below, because the ranking of gods is lower than Bodhisattva, and Buddha and Bodhisattva are supreme.
8. The orientation of the Buddhist niche or altar: Generally, do not place it in the south or west of the home [this orientation can be slightly offset], other orientations are acceptable, and it is best to choose according to the Feng Shui layout of the home. Decide.
9. It is best to sit west and face east when worshiping Buddha and Bodhisattva. If there are no conditions, you can do whatever you want, but please note that it cannot be facing the toilet or kitchen.
Official matters
1. The number of incense sticks is three, but one stick is also acceptable. If you are busy at ordinary times, you can burn incense on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month.
2. When offering fruits, it is best to keep the fruits fresh. Do not wait for the fruits to go bad before replacing them. The replaced fruits can be enjoyed with your family.
3. A glass of water must be offered in front of the Buddha, and flowers must be offered if possible.
4. Avalokitesvara's decoration: It is best for Avalokitesvara to sit "west to east". In addition, because Avalokitesvara is pure and flawless and avoids the smell of fish, there are three directions not to face: not to the toilet; not to the door; not to the dining table. .
5. Offerings: Guanyin follows a vegetarian diet and only uses flowers and fruits as offerings. Other gods can be worshiped with three animals.
Offering etiquette
Offering incense: After setting up the Buddhist hall, you can practice morning and evening recitations according to each person's practice, or offer incense in the morning and evening (you can provide water in the morning), every day. , persevere. Flowers and fruits do not have to be changed every day. It is enough to offer flowers and fruits whenever there are anniversaries of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas or on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month. Buddha lamp: The lighting of oil lamps and candles depends on the environment and personal habits. Generally speaking, not every home environment is suitable for lighting lamps. Lighting lamps can be done under the premise of safety. Offerings: On the anniversaries of encountering Buddhas and Bodhisattvas or on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, you can prepare flowers and fruits as offerings. If you want to put the dishes, you can put six dishes, one bowl for the first bowl, and one bowl of rice. Environment: The Buddhist hall, offering tables, incense burners, and candlesticks should be kept clean and dignified on a regular basis. When cleaning, use special cloths, buckets, etc., and do not share cleaning tools with other places. When someone in the family passes away, the Buddhist hall should not be covered, because when a person passes away, he must be received by the Buddhas, and there is no need to cover the Buddha statues. Going out: If you are away for many days due to business, and no one can take care of the Buddhist hall at home, you need to clean up the Buddhist hall before leaving, and pay attention to the safety of fire and electricity. You can deal with it after you return home from the business.