Definition of niche:
A shrine is a small pavilion dedicated to Buddha statues and shrines. Usually made of wood. In ancient China, grottoes were dug in the form of niches, and small niches were also called rafters. The niche originally refers to digging a rock-drilling cliff as an open space for placing Buddha statues. Nowadays, in major Buddhist relics, such as Ajanta in India, Eerola in China, Yungang and Longmen Grottoes, all the walls are covered with niches of Buddha and Bodhisattva. Later generations turned stone or wood into cabinets and set doors to worship Buddha statues, which were called niches.
Modeling requirements for decorative design of Buddhist niches;
The niche is generally cabinet-shaped, with doors outside and Buddha statues inside. The decorative style of the niche is solemn and the structure is stable. The number of niches must be odd, and the higher the number, the better. In other words, niche can only build one, three or five floors, and there can be no even number.
The significance represented by the three-tier Buddhist niches is that believers provide their bodies, mouths and hearts to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and practitioners realize the body, mouth and hearts of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas through their perseverance, and achieve the same consciousness as Buddhas.
The five-story Buddhist shrine represents five kinds of wisdom of Five Dhyani Buddhas or the dharma circle, such as body wisdom, great round mirror wisdom, equal wisdom, wonderful view wisdom and achievement wisdom, so as to constantly remind believers of their consciousness, improve their own practice and achieve wisdom and tact.
The placement of Buddhist niches is Feng Shui:
1, the shrine should be placed outward, from home to the outside of the gate, facing the gate, but you can't face the shrine as soon as you enter the room, you should keep a certain distance from the gate, or cover it with a screen.
2. Buddhist niches should be placed in a quiet environment. It's best to choose a quiet room to place the niche, not next to the TV and other noisy things.
3. Buddhist niches can't be placed in the bedroom or bed, because the bedroom is where people sleep, which is a disrespect to the Buddha. Of course not in the bedroom.
4. There should be a backer behind the place where the niche is placed, so the back wall should be built when decorating, but it is best not to lean against the wall of the toilet or kitchen. These two places are filthy and can't be used as backers of Buddhist shrines.
Matters needing attention in offering shrines:
1, the number of incense when offering, generally, one incense is enough, and three incense sticks are also acceptable, not just five or eight incense sticks.
2. The time of incense can be fixed on the first day and fifteenth day, and other Buddhist festivals and bodhisattvas' birthdays can be incense separately.
3. Keep the fruit enshrined in front of the Buddha fresh, and don't wait for the fruit to break before changing it. Replaced fruits can be enjoyed with family members.
In addition to offering fruit, a glass of clear water should be provided in front of the Buddha. Clear water must be changed every day to keep it clean.
After reading Bian Xiao's article, do you have a deep understanding of Buddhist temples and their decoration design? Since there is a niche, we must have a pious heart.