Excerpt from Wenda20130714A 00:36
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller:
Hello Master. I have a few questions. Our altar is facing south but it’s a bit damp. Can I turn it to the west?
Master Lu:
The direction of the altar doesn’t really matter; its surroundings are the most important. Even if you are facing south but there’s a toilet at the back of the altar, you can’t place a Bodhisattva’s image there. The direction isn’t that important. It is okay for the altar to be set up on the south side facing north.
Caller:
Is it okay to place it underneath an air conditioner?
Master Lu:
The air conditioner shouldn’t blow directly at the images or statues of Bodhisattvas. That is not good. It is not ideal to have an air conditioner installed right above the altar. Why should we use a landscape image? It is to resolve negative energy fields. From the feng shui point of view, it is not good to place the images or statues of Bodhisattvas or the altar underneath an air conditioner. The best direction of an altar is to face north in the southern hemisphere and face south in the northern hemisphere. If conditions don’t allow, other directions are also okay.
You can also refer to Chapter 5 of Introduction to the Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door, which gives more details on setting up altars and making offerings.
What if the altar faces the stairs?
Excerpt from Shuohua20140829 28:56
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller:
Is it okay for an altar to face the stairs? The altar can be seen when the person is walking down the stairs… Sorry, I was mistaken. The altar can be seen when the person is walking up the stairs.
Master Lu:
That’s okay, don’t get it wrong. If the altar is at the bottom of the stairs, of course it’s not good. It’s fine to be at the top of the stairs. Like in the temples, it is also located at the top of the stairs. Isn’t it good to see an altar after you climb the stairs? (Alright.)
Questions regarding setting up an altar in the bedroom
Setting up an altar in the bedroom
Excerpt from Wenda20131129 55:04
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller:
If the altar is set up in the bedroom, can we burn Little Houses in front of the altar?
Master Lu:
It depends. The bedroom needs to be clean. It’s best if the bedroom is used by boys or girls before puberty. Bedrooms used by elderly couples are also fine if they don’t perform intimate behaviours.
Caller:
Can we burn Little Houses in front of the altar inside the bedroom?
Master Lu:
As the altar is already inside the bedroom, you can burn Little Houses there.
Things to watch out for when setting up an altar in children’s bedroom
Excerpt from Wenda20140831B 02:37
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller:
A practitioner’s child is two years old. He sleeps in a room where an altar is set up. He sometimes doesn’t wear pants or nappies. At times, he needs to pee in the bedroom in the middle of the night. Is this considered disrespectful to the altar?
Master Lu:
Of course it is. It’s best to install a cabinet door on the altar and close the door after burning the incense.
Caller:
The altar is an open altar, and it is quite big. Can they place the potty where it can hardly be seen?
Master Lu:
It’s best to hide it completely or cover it with something. Place a piece of furniture or a divider to block it. The problem isn’t about its visibility; it’s about its odour. It’s not too strict if the bedroom is used by young children.
Issues about setting up an altar on the balcony
Having an altar on the balcony
Excerpt from Wenda20131110B 08:01
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller:
My altar is quite tall. I have finished renovating it and I want to place it on the balcony as my house is too small to fit it in.
Master Lu:
The altar can’t be set up if it is empty under the balcony, like a cantilevered balcony protruding from the face of the building.
Caller:
It used to be a whole living room, but then I divided it into two parts. (Editor’s note: This is likely to refer to a dais or platform, rather than a balcony or mezzanine)
Master Lu:
That would be fine then. Keep in mind that if you place a Bodhisattva’s altar on the balcony, it should not be empty underneath.
Caller:
It’s not empty underneath. It is part of the living room. My living room was originally an open-plan space without boundaries. I then created a partition wall with bricks. I picked a spot for the altar. It was originally next to the couch. I have to stand up to offer incense every morning and night.
Master Lu:
Better not place the altar too high above your head. It should be okay. Remember, never place the altar on a cantilevered balcony. This would bring bad fortune to your family.
Caller:
Should the Bodhisattva’s image face outwards or inwards?
Master Lu:
It’s a separated space, right? Don’t let it face the bed, but you can put it parallel to the bedhead instead.
Caller:
Mine is not like that. The balcony faces a big shopping mall. We can see far beyond the mall. My living room is just behind the altar.
Master Lu:
That’s okay then. No problem.
Altar being near a couple’s room or kitchen
It’s advisable to separate the altar and the kitchen because it’s not clean
Excerpt from ZongShu20141115 56:01
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller: Master, is my altar okay?
Master Lu:
You should tidy up the space on the left-hand side of the altar.
Caller:
Okay, will do.
Master Lu:
The right side is pretty good.
Caller:
The kitchen is on the left.
Master Lu:
No wonder.
Caller:
We have adopted a full vegetarian diet for the past two years.
Master Lu:
However, a kitchen is still very dirty. It’s best to separate it from the altar. Use a piece of cloth or put a divider in between.
Caller:
There is a curtain in between but I don’t really close it.
Master Lu:
You always need to keep the curtain closed.
Caller:
Alright. Thank you, Master.
Having a bedroom behind the altar
Excerpt from Shuohua20140418 26:51
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller: What if our bedroom is behind the altar?
Master Lu:
If a couple is sleeping behind the altar, just think about it. How disrespectful will that be… Do you think a wall can really separate the bedroom and the altar?
Caller:
Alright, what if it is my own bedroom?
Master Lu:
If it’s your bedroom, make sure neither your head nor your feet are pointing directly at the altar.
Caller:
Okay.
Master Lu:
If your mind is clean, you don’t have to worry.
Caller:
Understood.
Master Lu:
If you always surf on the internet or read pornographic materials, you are in trouble.
Caller:
I see.
Having an altar near a couple’s room
Excerpt from Wenda20141024 13:44
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller:
I have set up an altar on the balcony (that is connected to the ground) right next to a couple’s room. I want to hang a landscape painting on the wall of the balcony. Should the painting face the balcony or the room?
Master Lu:
Hang it on both sides. If it’s a couple’s room, make sure the bed is as far as possible from the altar.
Caller:
Understood, thank you Master. (Note: It is best to avoid setting up an altar on the balcony, unless the balcony is clean and tidy and connected to the ground.)
发表于 2021-9-7 13:45:54