Most Buddhists maintain an altar or shrine in their homes, believing that daily offerings will help deepen their understanding and practice. A Buddhist altar must have representations of the enlightened body, speech and mind of Buddha. These objects should serve as a reminder that it is your goal as a Buddhist to develop these qualities in order to help all beings.
Instructions
1. Choose a location for your altar. It should be put in a clean, peaceful space. Ideally, it would be have its own room, but if that is not possible, try to avoid rooms in which you are intimate.
2. Choose a platform for your altar. It may be a table, shelf or nightstand but must not serve another purpose other than as the altar. The altar should be higher than your head when sitting. You may cover the altar with a simple yellow, red or white cloth.
3. Place a picture or statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni on your altar. This photo or statue should be the central figure of the altar.
4. Put the words of Buddha on your altar. The text does not have to be written in Tibetan or Sanskrit (any language is acceptable). If your altar is on one level, place these words to the left of the Buddha figure. If you have a multi-level altar, the words should be on the highest level.
5. Add a stupa to the altar. The stupa can be an actual model, made of material such as, gold, silver, bronze, silver, or clay. However, you can also simply have a picture of a stupa. The stupa should be placed to the left of the Buddha figure.
6. Place seven offerings bowls on the altar. Under Tibetan tradition, the bowls are of equal size and made of copper or silver. The bowls should be in front of the Buddha statue, all in a row, with the distance of a grain of rice between them. The bowls, going from right to left, should contain: water for drinking, water for washing, flowers, incense on a bed of rice, perfumed water, fruit, cookies or candy, and finally, a small musical instrument like finger cymbals or a conch shell.
7. Place a lamp or light on the altar. The light may be an oil lamp or a candle. It should be placed either behind the line of bowls and in front of the statue, or between the fourth and fifth bowls.
