A shrine holds the symbolic representations of the Buddha’s body, speech, and mind, and correspondingly, the three jewels — the Buddha, dharma and sangha. These are represented by a statue, a book, and a stupa.
Shakyamuni Buddha
The image of the Buddha is a symbolic representation of the enlightened body of the Buddha. This could be a statue, or a thangka. If you want to have a somewhat more elaborate shrine, Mingyur Rinpoche suggests that we include a White Tara image, or statue. This could be placed to the left of the Buddha (when facing the shrine). The Tara statue could be somewhat smaller than the statue of the Buddha.
Text
A text represents the enlightened speech of the Buddha i.e., the teachings of the dharma. The text used could be written in any language. It could be the Heart Sutra if you wish to represent all of the teachings of the Buddha, or it can be a particular text related to your practice. It could go in front to the left of the Buddha (when facing the shrine).
Stupa
A stupa represents the enlightened mind of the Buddha. This is typically placed to the right of the image of the Buddha. The stupa could also be somewhat smaller than the statue of the Buddha.
Lamps or Candles
Lamps or candles symbolize wisdom that eliminates the darkness of ignorance.
Water Offering
Use seven bowls for the water offering. These could be metal (brass or silver) or glass. Start with fresh water every day. Place the bowls in a straight line, close together but not touching. The bowls should be filled up to the space of a grain’s width from the top.
The seven water bowls represent the “Seven Limbs of Offering”. Each offering bowl symbolizes one of the seven offerings (from left to right):
- Prostrations
- Plant the seeds for attaining the qualities of enlightenment
- Purify karma of body, speech and mind
- Counteract pride
- Offering
- Overcomes miserliness
- Accumulates merit
- Declaration of misdeeds
- Acknowledgement of misdeeds
- Overcomes non-virtue
- Purifies karma
- Rejoicing in merit
- Overcomes jealousy
- Engenders sympathetic joy and appreciation
- Requesting the Buddhas to turn the wheel
- Counteracts wrong views
- Requesting the Buddhas to remain
- Plants the seeds that will ripen in Buddhahood
- Dedication of merit
- Seals merit
- Overcomes self-cherishing
If you choose, when you fill the bowls you could recite the “Seven Limbs of Offering” (left to right):
“I prostrate to the Buddha, dharma and sublime sangha
I make offerings with my body, speech and mind
I confess all non-virtuous deeds
I rejoice in the virtue of all beings
I request the buddhas to turn the wheel of the dharma
I beseech the buddhas not to pass into nirvana
I dedicate all merit to all sentient beings throughout the three times”
Another symbolic meaning of the water bowls is that just as the moon’s reflection in the water is the same in each of the bowls, the compassion of the Buddha shines equally for all beings.
Flowers, Candles, and Incense
Normally placed on a shrine as offerings to the senses of the Buddha. The flowers could be cut flowers placed on either side of the Buddha. If potted plants are used, they should be placed on the floor on either side of the shrine. You could use regular candles, or glass oil candles. The incense can be placed in an incense burner, a small bowl of sand on the floor, or a small stand in front of the shrine.
Inner Shrine Offering 1
When setting up a shrine for an empowerment, a Vajrayana feast, or if your daily yidam practice requires it, you will want to present the “inner offerings” on your shrine in place of the water bowls. The seven inner offerings are:
- Water to Cleanse Mouth or Face (Argham) - Auspiciousness
- Water to Wash the Feet (Padyam) - Purification
- Flowers (Pushpe) - Generosity
- Incense (Dhupe) - Discipline, Moral Ethics
- Light (Aloke) - Patience
- Fragrance (Gandhe) - Perserverance
- Deliciouis Food (Naivedye) - Samadhi
- Musical Instruments (Shabda) - Wisdom
Further Comments on the Meaning of the Shrine
Outer Meaning
A shrine is a symbolic representation of the Buddha, dharma and sangha, and an expression of our own inspiration and appreciation. A shrine reminds us of the three jewels. It has the power to tame and uplift a space where we gather with sangha friends to practice. A room with a shrine offers us place of inspiration and peace. Sacred spaces have been used in this way throughout time.
Inner Meaning
On an inner level, we are drawn to emulate the three jewels. We go for refuge in the truth of the infallible three jewels symbolized by the objects on the shrine. Through creating this space and relating with the representations of the three jewels, we deepen our connection, our respect, and devotion.
Innermost Meaning
A shrine and a sacred space create the environment for the power and blessings of the three jewels and the lineage to manifest. Such an environment allows us to directly experience the sanity and wisdom symbolized by the shrine. This is not merely a psychological shift; rather, with the help of the symbolic power and wisdom represented by the shrine, we are actually able to invoke the mind of the lineage.
Closing the Shrine
At the end of the day, before or at sunset, empty the bowls one by one, dry them with a clean cloth and stack them upside down. Offer the water to the plants in your house or in the garden.
- Here’s a lovely teaching on How to Set Up a Buddhist Shrine - by Ven. Tenzin Yignyen of Namgyal Monastery.
Footnotes
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For more information about the inner offerings, read the document “The Meaning of the 8 Offerings”. This document can be found in the resources for retreat. ↩