[23-06-2012] Lotuschef in Conversation – Altar

by LOTUSCHEF on JUNE 23, 2012

Amitofo Fashi,

My parents said that we should wait for Chinese New Years in order to clean our Altar.

I have 4 Altar here.

Ancestors Altar.

Earth god Altar.

Datuk Altar.

Main altar (GM, Kuan Yin, Maitreya, etc)

All of them are not too big in size.

Problem is, if we have to wait for new year, the altar would be dirty already. I think we need to pull out the burned incense stick from time to time.

I recall I read Fashi wrote an article about this matter. The divinities left because of disrespect from the owner. The owner cleans the altars before telling the divinities. Are there any other important things?

Reply: 

Dear WL,

Just for information, Earth God and Datuk are the same! They are Earth Deities!

Hahaha!

Guru said some of them are ancestors that have accumulated some merits and they become Deities, for your home. Their merits not enough to rise to Heaven Realm. Still within the Samsaric’s 6 realms.

In Tantrayana, a cultivator has the ability to invoke Guru and then all Divinities and Deities AT ANY TIME [altar setting - do not need to choose auspicious date and time].

It is will give your parents peace of mind, do it at month end or the 14th day of the lunar month. Then after 11pm or 12 midnight, you re-invoke all back to their own places!

That means the invocation is on the lunar 1st day or 15th day.

It is ok to pull the stubs of joss-sticks at any time to keep the altar clean and tidy. Only remember – Do Not Shift the Statues around and move the offering when the incense is still burning or lighted.

Logic, my dear. When you are eating, do you want anyone to move the food away from you or take it away completely? Hahaha!

You might kill the person for doing so!!! 

Cheers

Amituofo

Pure Karma

Lama Lotuschef

True Buddha School