I'm curious to know if any of you have a personal space in your homes (or in your yards) for religious activity or meditation. What setups do you folks have? How are they displayed, and why is it important that they are arranged that way? Do you use them daily? I'd even like to know some of the rituals you might perform there, and what their significance might be.
Thanks! =)
I have a main altar on one side of my apartment living room with the Gohonzon, family pictures, and birthday cards for my grandmothers. I have sutras and journals. Its my reflective area, my whole living room. I dont have much furniture for that reason. I have an altar on a window sill where I offer water to the sun every morning and every evening, I poor the water out and the rest over me. Reminds me of purity, birth, and origin.
I have a divination altar on the floor opposite my main altar where I use rocks to divine what element I will focus my attention on throughout the day. I have a mini gohonzon in my bedroom. Id like to have an altar in my kitchen where I can bless my food as I make it and offer it to the spirits, my family, and the Dharma before taking part in eating it.
Im having a bit of trouble setting myself a part from the actual items themselves. It clutters my apartment and mind. I was taught that salt protects the home, so I have different places where I place mini candle holder glasses in each room. Dont need to in the living room.
I only have two rooms in my apartment. I wish I could use my whole apt as an "altar". I was told by my property manager about burning candles. I had to tell her it was for religious purposes. She couldnt say anything.
Mainly, Im not much for siting in one sacred place. I do my rituals in some secluded areas but unfortunately public areas on nice days.
It depends on the position of the sun where I have my "mobile" altars.
Im not one to keep routine.