How to Make a Home Buddhist Altar

[@Catherine-2008]

I am reading up on Buddhism and am very interested in practicing it. I didn't know where to start with creating an alter. You make it so simple and flexible. Thank you so much, Alan!

[@AlanPeto]

Great to hear Catherine! Check out my video and article about a daily practice if interested. Let me know if any questions!

[@Catherine-2008]

@@AlanPeto Thanks Alan! I will.

[@carolko2444]

Excellent idea. Thankyou so much for sharing this 🙏🏽

[@ugandaobatay1244]

OUTSTANDING EXPLANATION. I'VE SEEN MANY UPTOWN ALTERS. PRACTIONERS HAVE ALL SORTS OF HOITY TOITY THINGS ON THEIR ALTERS. AND FOR THEM...IT FEEDS THEIR PRACTICE...THEIR SOUL. MY ALTER SUPPORTS MY PATH... WITH SIMPLICITY.

[@Wqsmh]

Thank you for posting the video. It’s simple and great idea! I’m planing to make an altar. I’m Korean buddhist and in korea, people don’t usually make home altar because of the influence of folk religion/shamanism, but I’m going to break the rule anyway

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks! Yes, having an altar or not and what it may look like varies between all the traditions.

[@Miriam-ui5pw]

I'm new to your channel. I'm trying to learn more about Buddhism and I'm glad I found your channel.

[@ShatteredRippleBooks]

I have a small floating shelf with a Buddha statue an offering of water a candle and a bismuth Crystal.

[@AlanPeto]

That’s great! A floating shelf is a great modern design way to have an altar.

[@cukorea1]

Love from sri lanka 🇱🇰 😍

[@AlanPeto]

Hello! 🙏

[@tonyjoyce5127]

thank you for uploading this information friend it was very helpful

[@NamNguyen-fr6ng]

Thank you Alan for your teaching. Hopefully you give more about real Buddhism not a cultural. 🙏

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks Nam! I do try to keep it as balanced as possible :)

[@camillar7920]

Thank you so much for your highly informative an easy to understand content! I bought the downloadable resources and I was blown away by how much time and effort must have gone into them and yet you ask for a such a small donation. Thank you for making education so accessible!

[@AlanPeto]

Thank you, Camilla! I'm glad you found it helpful :) Let me know if you have any questions!

[@kevinallan8184]

Great video.

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks!

[@heathbarnett3451]

Thanks for the info! Recently discovered your content. Love how you explain it. Looking forward to reading and watching more.

[@AlanPeto]

Thank you, Heath! I hope to make more videos in the near future!

[@rohangaikwadGk7]

Very great sir...☸️☸️☸️🙏🙏🙏🇮🇳

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks Rohan!

[@liann2802]

Amituofo 🙏🏻

[@MW_08]

Namo Buddhaya

[@buddhaexhumed9922]

Very educative. I do research on how Buddhism disappeared in Bihar. I realized it never disappeared from Bihar. Buddhists simply failed to research Indian Buddhism. They looked at Buddhism through the sphere of their own cultures searching for only the Buddha. Buddha had a myriad of names in different villages according to his teachings there. Example. His favorite teaching was 'Lust and desire causes pain. Remove lust and desire, and pain is removed'. Translated into Bihari (where the Buddha story took place) it is DHUKH HARAN meaning to remove dukha. Three dozen villages pray to DUKH HARAN Baba. Its clear that DUKH HARAN Baba is none other than the Buddha. Problem is Buddhists are searching only for the Buddha. In the real Vaishali the Buddha begged for alms. The locals there pray to 'BHIKHAINI' Baba (Beggar Baba). Bhikhaini was mispronounced by Buddhists as Bhikshu. Who is BHIKHAINI Baba. The Buddha no doubt. But people are searching for a man called Buddha. In the real Vaishali, in Beluha the Buddha suffered a sickness and felt he had grown old. The locals pray to 'BURHA' Baba (Old Baba). Who is BURHA Baba. The Buddha no doubt. In the real Vaishali the Lichavies pressurized Buddha not to die. They trailed him to Bandagawan pressurizing him not to die. To put pressure in Hindi is DABESHWAR. Three dozen villages around the stupa where Buddha gave the Lichavies his patra, the villagers pray to Baba 'DABESHWAR NATH' meaning the man who won the pressurizing game. It was the the Buddha no doubt as he gave the Lichavies his patra and succeded in sending them back. But Buddhists are searching for the Buddha. Forgive me for commenting out of the topic. I just wanted to impart this information to you.

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ReservoirPunk]

Alan, i have a question and i would be very grateful if you could help me with it (or anybody else reading this comment for that matter) I have recently started studying Buddhism and i am positive that this is the path i want to go down though i am taking my time to learn everything i can. Obviously im not a Buddhist (though that is where I know i am heading) but since learning the Buddhas teachings i have praised the Buddha every morning and every night before bed, i now have a statue and a beautiful painting of the Buddha and i was wondering, even though im not a Buddhist, is it okay for me to make a altar to continue my praises? Or is that something one should only do once becoming an 'offical' Buddhist? Sorry if this is a silly question

[@AlanPeto]

Yes, you can continue! There are many who practice Buddhism who haven’t taken the triple gem - even among countries, cultures, and families that practice Buddhism. Becoming a Buddhist means this is the path you want to be in because you trust those three things. So, perfectly fine to practice to build up faith!

[@silviatallarico7412]

Is good to add natural flowers? May I make my altar on the top of a bookcase?

[@AlanPeto]

Hi Silvia, yes you can add natural flowers! You can have your altar on top of a bookcase. Typically, your altar location is a place of respect and is usually a raised location. Your altar is a place of practice and respect for our teacher (the Buddha) and for yourself (with your own Buddha-nature). For a bookcase stand for your altar, you may want to consider what is in your bookcase to ensure it does not contain anything that would give conflicting meanings/messages for your practice.

[@akiumarma9521]

Is there any specific Buddha's face direction in Buddhist altar?

[@AlanPeto]

Yes and no. Buddhism is a vast religion with many different traditions/schools, so it's best to refer to the tradition you practice in for guidance. Generally, you can find altars facing the East as symbolizing enlightenment. Others may face other directions, to include perhaps a Buddha Pure Land. Most importantly is not necessarily which direction it faces, but how you care for and use your Buddhist altar. Look at it as a place you practice Buddhism as if you are calling a Buddha or Bodhisattva to help you with your practice.

[@katrinawiseman9535]

I've been told to use a Gohonzon. Are you using this for your chants? This is great.

[@AlanPeto]

It depends on the tradition of Buddhism you’re practicing in. Gohonzon is something you find in Japanese Buddhism, mostly Nichiren.

[@teatea4496]

I want that exact shelf thing plz link

[@AlanPeto]

Unfortunately I do not think they make it anymore (I got it years ago), but I do have some other types I found on my Amazon idea list which may give you some ideas: a.co/fx8tYlH

[@buutich1]

Just curious, Alan, what are the two brown objects in front of the large candles on each side?

[@AlanPeto]

Nothing Buddhist specifically, but used as daily offering in lieu of real flowers. www.easternserenity.com/carved-soap-flowers-set-of-3-ps597.html

[@sherazjaan2003]

What type of Buddhist altar is this?

[@AlanPeto]

"general" style. It's meant to illustrate how to build a Buddhist altar with available materials and not expending a lot of money. Especially for those still exploring Buddhism and do not have a tradition/teacher/temple they are in. If your Buddhist tradition hasd specific requirements, please follow their guidance.

[@aritra834]

can u tell me how long shall we burn candle in front of buddha

[@AlanPeto]

Hi Aritra! I just answered another similar comment about this, so here it is :) You only need to have the candle lit for as long as you are practicing. Some people like to have a candle as both an offering (symbolizing enlightenment) and a subtle focus for meditation. Normally it is not kept burning after you end your session. But if you do want to keep it lit, treat it just like any other candle you would have in your home and be aware of the potential for fire danger and even danger to pets and young kids who may burn themselves accidentally. So, my recommendation is to only keep it lit for as long as you are there.

[@RowanLaidlaw]

Thank you for the vid Alan. I notice you don't mention an incense holder. Is burning incense part of your practice?

[@AlanPeto]

That is a great question! I do not use incense as part of my [home] practice. As a makeshift incense holder, you can use one of the small bowls and fill it with rice, ash (there are some especially for this), etc.

[@RowanLaidlaw]

I would call my shrine a very eclectic mix. I've collected various inexpensive pieces on my travels. A Buddha statue with Bhumisparsha Mudra, a 4-faced Budai head (joy, serenity, sorrow, anger) and 2 small dragon statues found in Singapore. A Meditation Buddha incense holder found in South Africa. A Buddha statue with Varada Mudra and a Budai found in a (now don't laugh) Cash Converters.

[@AlanPeto]

@@RowanLaidlaw Very interesting! Curious, was the incense holder from a Fo Guan Shan temple? I know they have a temple there.

[@RowanLaidlaw]

The Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua temple is in South Africa and serves as Fo Guang Shan's African Headquarters, however, I bought the Meditation Buddha from a local craft store there.

[@AlanPeto]

Wonderful :)

[@suvrabanerjee5982]

How long do we need to lite the candle 🕯 ??

[@AlanPeto]

Hi Suvra! You only need to have the candle lit for as long as you are practicing. Some people like to have a candle as both an offering (symbolizing enlightenment) and a subtle focus for meditation. Normally it is not kept burning after you end your session. But if you do want to keep it lit, treat it just like any other candle you would have in your home and be aware of the potential for fire danger and even danger to pets and young kids who may burn themselves accidentally. So, my recommendation is to only keep it lit for as long as you are there.

[@TanTin-vg4hw]

🙏🙏🙏🌷🌷🌷

[@AlanPeto]

🙏🙏🙏

[@notyourpieceofcake]

Is this a theravada buddhist altar?

[@AlanPeto]

It's not specific to any branch or tradition. You could easily replace Shakyamuni Buddha with Amitabha Buddha, for example. As you find a tradition/school you'd like to follow, they can give you specific directions, examples, and guidance on an altar setup they recommend.

[@swedendive]

Is it ok to have a Buddha statue made in resin?

[@AlanPeto]

Sure, I don’t see why not.

[@mimilili6568]

I read Buddha must be above your eyesight....

[@AlanPeto]

Great question. Ideally, you will want the Buddha, a Buddha, or a Bodhisattva to be at a high level. This is out of respect. Conditions vary where this may not be possible, though, in a home. Some options include keeping the Buddha (which may include an image) inside a special closed container. These are mini shrines that can be used for this purpose, but you don't need to buy a special one (they can at times be costly). The Buddha/altar should also be in a place of respect so it won't get knocked over, damaged, disturbed, etc. Think of it as the Buddha is the same as the Buddhanature in you that you are developing - so we treat with respect. For the video, this was an easier way for me to show due to location.