newTaoist

Now that I know how to prepare my altar, my only question is that since I don't have access to a Temple or a Priest, how will I find out the proper chants or sutras for my chosen Gods? Anyone have any ideas? As always, thanks in advance my friends.

Deng Ming-Dao Making Your Own Altar 3/3: Worship Once you’ve set up your altar tables and placed the consecrated gods there, what do you do? The altar is the center for your devotions. Generally, you’ll pray at least morning and evening, bowing to the altar, lighting incense, and then sitting in meditation. The priest may have given you a mantra to chant, and you may have been instructed on reciting sutras. These scriptures contain important precepts and devotional thoughts about the god or gods you are worshipping. On ritual days, more elaborate offerings are possible—wine, rice, food, pastries, candies, and so on are set on the smaller front table. Having an altar is quite involved—but that’s really the point. It’s adoration, devotion, and discipline. By having to adhere to a strict regimen, our minds are constantly brought back to the divine. We who are modern may see ritual as hollow, some mere dutiful enactment. But the ancients saw ritual differently: ritual was the reality itself. Worship was not supplication or insincere form. Worship itself was the goal. Some people view worship as a means to get something: “I’ll ask this god to help me.” But the greater view is that worship is our expression of who we are. Devout worship gives expression to the sacred in our hearts. == https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/p480x480/428488_493755024026225_1588968568_n.jpg Photo of Taoist ritual by Saskia Dab.

Yeah, it sure does. I'm glad you like them. BTW thanks for checking in . I appreciate it.

Making Your Own Altar 2/3: Gods and Offerings by Deng Ming-Dao Yesterday, I wrote about setting up your own altar tables. Today, I’ll write about what to put on those tables. Once you have your altar tables, you have to have gods to worship. In general, the gods are assigned to you by a priest of your master, or, if you’ve had a successful relationship with a god—perhaps you invoked them at a time of need and were answered—then you would worship that deity. I’ve also seen people select gods based on their profession or their needs. If someone was a scholar, then the God of Literature would be a clear choice. If someone was poor, they might understandably make offerings to the God of Wealth. If possible, your altars and your gods are be consecrated at a temple. The priest will also give you the sutras and mantras to go with your gods. As soon as your god is consecrated, you treat the figure as a live person. You invite them into your home, and carry them upright and facing forward to your altar. The god is set at the center and back of the large table. Vases of flowers (never white ones), red candles (people use electric ones for safety), and dishes of fruit are set before the deity and on each side of the table. An incense burner (if possible, incense is always burning, or one can only light the incense during ritual; electric incense is also possible) and three cups of tea are set in the front and center. The tea should be changed daily, and the fruit and flowers must always be fresh. Tomorrow, I’ll write more about ritual. == Photo of Guanyin in the front, the Three Stars—Happiness, Prosperity, and Longevity (Fu Lu Shou) in the back. Photo by andelieya. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=493754667359594&set=pb.373617489373313.-2207520000.1367320909.&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-snc7%2F394528_493754667359594_293067102_n.jpg&size=404%2C606

No problem rene.

I've certainly learned a lot through this discussion and hope to continue learning.

Certainly both are valid. I certainly didn't want to come across otherwise, if I did.

I see it as symbolism so my mind can comprehend the process of devotion. I learn and understand things, including the Dao, by doing. Unfortunately, meditation and gi gong, etc. aren't things I enjoy. Therefore, they don't clear my mind. I'm hoping that my altar will help me considerably. I hope this makes sense.

You said it better than I did: "altars are symbolic and can be anchors for and in one's subconscious mind". That's how I am relating to my upcoming experience with an altar. It's what I meant by enhancing my practice.

To each their own I always say.

sree, where have you read that you must be Chinese in order to worship the Three Pure Ones? If you have then that source is misinformed. Daoist Westerners have altars for ritual. In fact Deng-Ming Dao the Master and writer has so kindly answered my questions regarding this and is writing a 3 part article on his Facebook page explaining how ANYONE can build an altar and how to use it. Daoism is something that anyone can embrace. Why are you even arguing this point? I find it offensive frankly. Enjoy your day. I don't intend to reply since based on your previous posts all you do is cause trouble and argue.

I'm looking forward to having an altar for myself. I don't belong to a sect and have no desire to. Even though I will probably follow a tradition, it certainly won't mean that I will think it is better than another. My practice is simply my practice, which will happen to include a Daoist altar only to enhance my practice. I have no desire to argue or spread BS. I hope my position is clear, I'm not the best writer.

Making Your Own Altar 1/3: The Altar Tables by Deng-Ming Dao In a response to Neil, I’m giving general guidelines for setting up your own altar. When it comes to Taoism and all things Chinese, there are plenty of local customs and variations. These details are as I learned them from my teacher. In fact, take these as guidelines and make an altar that suits you. Unless you’re following a specific school, create an altar that’s meaningful to you. Every Taoist has an altar. In the past, Taoists held “altar wars” where two competing Taoists would set up public altars and duel with each other over ritual and magic. That was silly, of course, but it does underscore how the altar was so much a part of Taoism. You begin with two tables. The larger of the two tables should be high—at least as high as your chest. This is the table where the main deities are placed. Some people have alcoves or high altar cabinets. Temples have entire chapels where the life-sized deity sits in a special enclosure surrounded by carvings and beautiful silk embroidery. But if one is setting up a home altar, a high alcove or high table should be fine. The smaller table is lower than the large one by at least a few inches and is the place where one presents offerings. My master told me that the altar tables should be of the best wood available and of the finest quality that one can afford: I built his tables and I’ve built my own altars. This is really all about devotion to your spirituality and your gods, so you offer the very best you can. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with poverty and simplicity. Those who cannot have a formal altar write the name of the deity on a plank of wood or a piece of paper, set the god on a high place, and making offerings before that simple shrine. It’s the heart of the devotee, not the fanciness of the altar that matters. Tomorrow, I’ll write about the gods and offerings. == Photo showing an altar to the Three Pure Ones prior to consecration, which is why their faces are still covered. Photograph by Saskia Dab.

Yesterday I posed this question, espescially about the ritual involved, to Master Deng-Ming Dao not really expecting a response. However, he did respond on Facebook and is writing a 3 part series about these issues. I'm so thrilled and honored that this famous writer and Taoist would do this for me and all of his Facebook followers. Cool, No?

Thank you so much. I added Grand Masters to my Netflix. It looks very exciting! I'll check out the TV links as well.

Cool. Thank you Reed

My mistake. I wasn't paying attention. I've ordered these already, thanks.

Any suggestions?

Thanks. That was the one that I thought. Just wasn't sure.

Is Jeon Woochi the movie from 2009 or a 2012 TV series? Thanks.

Absolutely hysterical sree! I love it. LOL

Fantastic movie. I own it and still watch it periodically.

Going to check out 8 Avatar, Tai Chi Hero, Tai Chi Zero and Mr. Vampire. Can get them on Netflix.

Well, something as boring as money. I'll just have to make my list of what to get for now and do my purchasing later. I do intend to use pictures to save on casholla.

Reed, you're absolutely right about what you posted re: Eva Wong. Thanks again for the info.