Taking Care Of A Buddhist Image

[Ijustwannateach]

A friend who normally stays with me has asked me to take care of his Buddhist- shrine? corner? image? It's a fancy plaque with a Buddhist image and a lot of writing in several languages, as well as a few photos of monks, a small statuette, and an amulet. We keep it all on top of a bookcase.

Usually he puts some flowers on it once in a while and he has asked me to do this while he is gone. I don't really believe the flowers themselves matter, but I know he believes it and that makes it important to me. How often should I put flowers on it? He uses the little combination strings of jasmine and marigold blossoms. Can I just buy these in any market? Any other advice?

Any tips much appreciated.

[Samuian]

A friend who normally stays with me has asked me to take care of his Buddhist- shrine? corner? image? It's a fancy plaque with a Buddhist image and a lot of writing in several languages, as well as a few photos of monks, a small statuette, and an amulet. We keep it all on top of a bookcase.

Usually he puts some flowers on it once in a while and he has asked me to do this while he is gone. I don't really believe the flowers themselves matter, but I know he believes it and that makes it important to me. How often should I put flowers on it? He uses the little combination strings of jasmine and marigold blossoms. Can I just buy these in any market? Any other advice?

Any tips much appreciated.

every moon cycle, half, full, half, new... is a "buddha day" on which thais do pay their respect to the images... yes a simple "malai" flower string... is available on markets or street stalls from 5 baht up... three incense and a (small) candle should be lit as well!

But it is not really necessary as you are NOT the owner only the caretaker of these things.

[wileycoyote]

Just show respect & keep in high place.

You will be fine

Wiley Coyote

[Ijustwannateach]

A friend who normally stays with me has asked me to take care of his Buddhist- shrine? corner? image? It's a fancy plaque with a Buddhist image and a lot of writing in several languages, as well as a few photos of monks, a small statuette, and an amulet. We keep it all on top of a bookcase.

Usually he puts some flowers on it once in a while and he has asked me to do this while he is gone. I don't really believe the flowers themselves matter, but I know he believes it and that makes it important to me. How often should I put flowers on it? He uses the little combination strings of jasmine and marigold blossoms. Can I just buy these in any market? Any other advice?

Any tips much appreciated.

every moon cycle, half, full, half, new... is a "buddha day" on which thais do pay their respect to the images... yes a simple "malai" flower string... is available on markets or street stalls from 5 baht up... three incense and a (small) candle should be lit as well!

But it is not really necessary as you are NOT the owner only the caretaker of these things.

I know. But he is in some difficulty outside the country and I know that it would make a difference to him, even if he only knew after the fact.

[seonai]

Keep all of them high up and each morning offer fresh incense and flowers and a little water or juice to the images then bow three times and ask the images to take care of your friend and yourself. If neccessary offer a little rice and maybe some sweet sugar cane juice

[jonniebkk]

Don't make an idol of the shrine...either of you. In the end, it will crumble and become as dust...like all things

[RY12]

Don't make an idol of the shrine...either of you. In the end, it will crumble and become as dust...like all things

This is not 6th Century BC India ... this is Thailand and Tai Buddhism, westerners shouldn't try to impose some puritanical philisophical form of Buddhism on a culture that never adopted it... even the austere Ajahn Chah had "idols". Besides the architecture of Wats and the monkhood, I think Thailand is still very strongly animist/spirit-orientend as it was in the time of its ancestors... long before the Sri Lankans brought over their Theravada. We should respect both forms... plus it's fun to decorate shrines!!