Hello all!
Recently I added a list of "Where to Find Buddhist Materials" to this blog. Often, as solitary Buddhists in the military, we have to look for and purchase our own Buddhist worship materials, versus using materials that are available at a temple. It is a fair bet that your base chapel or chaplain may not have any Buddhist materials available (hopefully this may change in the future, and it doesn't hurt to ask). This talk is to help give guidance for Buddhists interested in performing lay services where they are stationed, or doing solitary practice or meditation.
Most Buddhists utilize some type of worship items during a formal service. Chaplain Somya Malasri and I agree on these basic items:
1) Buddha Statue or Picture
2) Offering Set (plates and cups)
3) Meditation Bell
4) Incense & Burner
5) Fruit and Flower Offerings (or other suitable items but no meats)
6) Candles
7) Meditation Cushion
8) Books (for chanting and or reading)
These items may vary in size and design depending on the form of Buddhism practiced, and obviously some items may not be practical or available in every place and situation. For example, during my shipboard meditation service, I can use the bell, cushions, and incense, but I leave out the rest as I treat meditation as something everyone can participate in, whether they are Buddhist or not. The bell and the smell of the incense provides a calming and relaxing environment in which to have "quiet time" even though it can get quite noisy (as Navy ships are)!
However, for a formal Buddhist worship service, it would be best to have at the minimum a Buddha image and books from which a lay person could read from or chant aloud. If it is possible to have all of the above, then the items should be arranged according to the above picture, with the devotional image at the center. These items should be handled with respect and care; sutra books should not be placed on the floor or on a chair (this is considered disrepectful of the Buddha's words). Not only is this proper etiquette, but also these items are not inexpensive!
In the Japanese Buddhist tradition, many lay Buddhists have their own home altar (o-butsudan or gohonzon), in which these and other items, such as family pictures, are placed in. They come in many different sizes, so it is also possible to find a suitable sized one for your room or home. This provides a "sacred space" in which to sit and practice. It is also possible for you to be creative and design your own altar space.
Of course, there are some places where you may have none of these items, which is also OK: having no worship materials is not a barrier to practicing Buddha-dharma. All that you are required to bring is you yourself!
If anyone has any suggestions on Buddhist materials or stories on how they can be utilized in the field or on base, please share them here!
Namo Amida Butsu
3 comments:
I noticed you listed Kaiundo as a resource. I live in a very small apartment and use a mitsuorhonzon that I purchased from Kiaundo. It folds up and fits into a small box when not in use(about 6 1/4" X 4") and has Amida Buddha in the center, on the left is Rennyo Shonin, and on the right is Shinran Shonin. They have five different styles. This is very practical for miltary use since it is compact and can be packed easily. I don't remember the price, but I think it was under $40 with shipping.
Another resource is www.brightdawn.org
M. Lawrence
Thanks for the link. Bright Dawn is part of the Rev. Gyoman Kubose Dharma Legacy. Rev. Kubose was a Shinshu minister, I believe his family belonged to the Higashi (East) Hongwanji, which is a different Shinshu denomination than mine (Nishi Hongwanji), but he was very active in pioneering Buddhism in America. Our temple used to get the Kubose newsletter regularly.
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