供佛像的正确观念是...？

• realization

  28 Aug 11, 10:18

  Another question to ponder, posed by a monk on Facebook.  I think this can be considered here too.

  供佛�的正确观念是...？

  Please contribute  :)

  P.S.  can someone tell me what 供佛åƒ� is in English? 

   

• Domo Kun

  28 Aug 11, 10:27

  供佛� is like setting an Altar at home. Some Taiwanese have Amitabha and two bodhisattavas ( Guang ying and Da Shi Zhi Pu Sa) on the side on their Altar.
• sinweiy

  28 Aug 11, 10:29

  sort of put up a Buddha statue on an altar table so that one can make an offering.

  can help remind/pratice calmless; well-being; respect etc, when u enter the house. everyday offer a glass of clear (tap)water, to represent our mind/heart is pure and clear as the water. need to change everyday. some use fruits or flowers like what we do on Vesak Day, 1st and 15th of the lunar month.

  /\

• Domo Kun

  28 Aug 11, 10:30

  My mom lastime burn jossticks and offer fruits/flowers to Guan Ying Pu Sa.
• Domo Kun

  28 Aug 11, 10:33

  Originally posted by sinweiy:

  sort of put up a Buddha statue on an altar table so that one can make an offering.

  can help remind/pratice calmless; well-being; respect etc, when u enter the house. everyday offer a glass of clear (tap)water, to represent our mind/heart is pure and clear as the water. need to change everyday. some use fruits or flowers like what we do on Vesak Day, 1st and 15th of the lunar month.

  /\

  
  The water can stands for mirror like awareness. Flowers can stand for Karma I think.
• realization

  28 Aug 11, 10:36

  Originally posted by Domo Kun:

  
  The water can stands for mirror like awareness. Flowers can stand for Karma I think.

  Flowers on the altar remind us of impermanence.  (I learnt this via 2009novice.)

• Domo Kun

  28 Aug 11, 10:39

  Originally posted by realization:

  Flowers on the altar remind us of impermanence.  (I learnt this via 2009novice.)

  
  I see. I am novice buddhists also.
• sinweiy

  28 Aug 11, 10:41

  if not wrong, burn jossticks mean burn ourself to help light up others 燃烧自己,照亮别人？ not literally though. or got to do with the smell 香. forgot.

  fruits represent fruition 果报 of Buddhahood.

  but flower, i heard from Elder Master Guangchin, better don't pluck from nature, as the flower growing outside in the nature are already offering to the Buddhas of the Ten Directions!

  /\

• Domo Kun

  28 Aug 11, 10:43

  Originally posted by sinweiy:

  if not wrong, burn jossticks mean burn ourself to help light up others 燃烧自己,照亮别人？ not literally though. or got to do with the smell 香. forgot.

  fruits represent fruition 果报 of Buddhahood.

  but flower, i heard from Elder Master Guangchin, better don't plug from nature, as the flower growing outside in the nature are already offering to the Buddhas of the Ten Directions!

  /\

  
  You remind me of a joke. My mom and I saw a small boy plucking flwoers downstairs. My mom said so young become �花贼
• sinweiy

  28 Aug 11, 10:50

  pengz...

• sinweiy

  28 Aug 11, 11:00

  Originally posted by Domo Kun:

  
  The water can stands for mirror like awareness. Flowers can stand for Karma I think.

  
  mirror indeed. 大圆镜智。

  Flowers can be 花报。if one after learning Buddhism, achieve longevity and wisdom is 花报 (don't know how to translate),

  reborn in PL is as 花报, then achieve Bodhi is fruition.

  -----------------

  佛教何谓“现报”？何谓“花报”？

  　　现报亦称顺现法�业�顺现报�业�顺现业�顺现报��现在�业等�称。�谓现在世所造作之善�业，于现在世�果报。

  　　何谓花报呢？亦称为��，就是花开在结实之�，故花报乃对�得之果报而言。譬如人为获得果实而�树，除正得其果实之外，兼�得花，是为花报。

  　　众生�善�之业因(梵语karma-hetu)，由此业因正得之果为果报(实报�正报)，果报之�所兼得者，则称为花报。如以��为业因，因之而得长寿，是为花报；远感涅槃之果报。�如以念佛修善为业因，往生��世界为花报；��大��则为果报。（如本法师著《佛学问答》）

  　　现报释义

  　　谓现世作æ�¶ï¼ŒçŽ°èº«å�³å�—æ�¶æŠ¥ï¼›çŽ°ä¸–作善，现身å�³å�—善报，是å��现报。（出自《三è—�法数》明·ä¸€å¦‚ç­‰ 撰）

  　　花报释义

  　　å�ˆä½œå�ŽæŠ¥ã€‚花开在结果之å‰�，故“花报”是对å�Žå¾—之“果报”而言。譬如人以ä¸�æ�€ç”Ÿä¸ºä¸šå› ï¼Œä»Šç”Ÿå�³å¾—å�¥åº·é•¿å¯¿ï¼Œæ˜¯ä¸º“花报”；最终必得涅槃之妙果，是为“果报”。（出自《佛学常è§�辞汇》陈义å­�编）

  /\

• realization

  28 Aug 11, 11:05

  Some useful comments that have come in on the Facebook topic itself. 

   

  1.  佛說：我的一切教誨，都是由我親證而來。你們è¦�好好地ä¾�循它，在任何情形下，都è¦�ä¾�循它的精神而行。如果你們ç–�忽了它，å�³ä½¿ç«™åœ¨æˆ‘身邊，也看ä¸�見我。如果你們ä¾�循我的教誨，å�³ä½¿é� é›¢æˆ‘，實際上就在我的身邊。

   

  2.  經剛經云
  若以色見我 以音�求我
  此人行邪� �能見如來...
  
  這跟路上電線桿上貼的 ��崇拜�� 是一樣的�� ../\..
  
  佛��是在培養�敬心 �是拿來求的

• sinweiy

  28 Aug 11, 11:10

  "one who see the Dharma, see the Buddha."

   

  This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard: "Even if a monk, taking hold of my outer cloak, were to follow right behind me, placing his feet in my footsteps, yet if he were to be greedy for sensual pleasures, strong in his passions, malevolent in mind, corrupt in his resolves, his mindfulness muddled, unalert, uncentered, his mind scattered, & his faculties uncontrolled, then he would be far from me, and I from him. Why is that? Because he does not see the Dhamma. Not seeing the Dhamma, he does not see me.

  "But even if a monk were to live one hundred leagues away, yet if he were to have no greed for sensual objects, were not strong in his passions, not malevolent in mind, uncorrupt in his resolves, his mindfulness established, alert, centered, his mind at singleness, & his faculties well-restrained, then he would be near to me, and I to him. Why is that? Because he sees the Dhamma. Seeing the Dhamma, he sees me."

  Though following right behind, full of desire, vexation: see how far he is! — the perturbed from the unperturbed, the bound from the Unbound, the greedy one from the one with no greed. But the wise person who, through direct knowledge of Dhamma, gnosis of Dhamma, grows still & unperturbed like a lake unruffled by wind: see how close he is! — the unperturbed to the unperturbed, the Unbound to the Unbound, the greedless one to the one with no greed.

  /\
• 2009novice

  28 Aug 11, 12:16

  is this an open end question?

  供佛�的正确观念是...？

  供佛�的正确观念就�是供养父�，因为他们就�是家里的佛�

• 2009novice

  28 Aug 11, 12:17

  Originally posted by realization:

  Flowers on the altar remind us of impermanence.  (I learnt this via 2009novice.)

  
  paiseh leh lol

• 2009novice

  28 Aug 11, 12:20

  Originally posted by sinweiy:

  if not wrong, burn jossticks mean burn ourself to help light up others 燃烧自己,照亮别人？ not literally though. or got to do with the smell 香. forgot.

  fruits represent fruition 果报 of Buddhahood.

  but flower, i heard from Elder Master Guangchin, better don't plug from nature, as the flower growing outside in the nature are already offering to the Buddhas of the Ten Directions!

  /\

  yah... flowers are not to be plucked from nature parks etc... that breaks the precept of stealing...  

  oil lamp - wisdom, light, etc

  incense - fragrance

  fruit- generosity, 果报, etc

• Domo Kun

  28 Aug 11, 12:36

  Namo Amitabha Buddha
• Dawnfirstlight

  28 Aug 11, 19:25

  To me, the Buddha images remind me of his teachings. There are many non Buddhists who don't understand why we bow to Buddha and why we need to pray to Buddha statues or pictures. By bowing to Buddha, it also helps to reduce our arrogance （傲慢心).

  Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are everywhere, they do not "station" in the statues or images.

• Amitayus48

  12 Sep 11, 09:43

  The explanation that to be taken "lightly" is that you are Buddha or bodhisattavas, but had already become a stone-like statue. So, this statue on Buddha / bodhisattavas is to remind you of the pureness in you and all. And to regain back consciousness is to rely back on the stone-like statue for meditation as well - to the least - sowing much blessings cause the statues are inherent yours as well.

• realization

  2 Dec 11, 12:06

  This thread hasn't expired yet...  since I happened to find this information today, thought it would be good to paste it here. 

  http://www.jenchen.org.sg/understa.htm

  What is the significance of bowing before the images of the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas? Is there any merit in doing so?

  Bowing before the Buddha image

  It is definitely true that bowing before the Buddha and Bodhisattvas to pay respects has merits. However, merits and blessings are different. Generally, when a person performs an act of giving, it is often knowledged that his "merits are boundless". Over time, the practice becomes a habit, resulting in a confusion between merits and blessings. To one who has enlightened to the truth, his virtuous deeds can be considered meritorious. Prior to that his noble deeds are acts of cultivating blessings. Many people criticize Buddhism for worshipping idols and images. In reality, many religions in this world worship idols and images. Those who pass such remarks about Buddhism may themselves pray religiously to idols and images. From an ultimate point of view, we will realize that Buddhism is the only religion that does not worship images. It is only because of sentient beings’ attachment to forms and images that the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas manifest themselves in these forms. Generally speaking, people who do not yet have a profound understanding of Buddhism, need to rely on the image of the Buddha as a guide. To those who have been enlightened to the truth, they are capable of realizing that in Buddhism the ultimate reality is formless. Let me illustrate with an example. Supposing there are some young children in kindergarten whose grandparents have long passed away, and they never knew how they looked like. The teacher may use pictures to illustrate how generally grandpas and grandmas would look like. These children will learn to understand that grandpa looked like an elderly man, and grandma looked like an elderly woman. These children soon progress to primary level education, followed by secondary level and eventually university education. It would be ridiculous for the university professor to use the same pictures that the kindergarten teacher had used in reference to their grandparents. At that level of education, the professor would perhaps use other more appropriate terms of ancestral relationship. It is the same with learning Buddhism. To a beginner, it helps to introduce the images of, for example, Amitabha Buddha, Avalokiteshvara (Kuan Yin) Bodhisattva or Sakyamuni Buddha, in order to inspire their respect for them. When one has attained a certain higher level of understanding, then one will be able to realize the following as stated in the Diamond Sutra: "All forms are but illusions; in seeing that all forms are illusory, then one sees the Tathagata." As to the true meaning of the "Buddha characteristics" of "all forms are illusory", it can only be realized through cultivation and awakening.

  What is the significance of offering incense, flowers, water and fruits?

  Offering incense, flowers, water and fruits

  The fragrance of the incense is symbolic of ethics and morality. These are the virtues of the Bodhisattva spirit of benefiting others and self. If we do not practise ethics and live immorally, then the offering of incense does not serve any purpose. Offering of incense is only meaningful if our conduct befits the correct standard and principle of ethics and morality. Flowers are symbolic of wisdom. We learn and practise Buddhism to unfold and develop our wisdom. When the wisdom blossoms in each and everyone of us, then as human beings, our conduct is like flowers in bloom. Everyone admires beautiful flowers and they are welcomed everywhere. Thus, when we make an offering of flowers to the Buddha, it is that we want to be like the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas who are so filled with wisdom. Water serves two purposes. Firstly, it quenches our thirst. A drink of water is so soothing and comfortable when we are thirsty. Secondly, it is for cleansing, for example, washing our clothes or the floor, etc. When we learn and practise Buddhism, the Dharma is like the morning dew, cleansing the impurities of our hearts and minds so that we are soothed and happy. The offering of fruits is made not because Buddha wants to eat them. When we learn and practise Buddhism, and perform virtuous deeds, these virtuous deeds should bear sweet fruits. Thus, the offering of fruits is symbolic of the results of our virtuous deeds. It is best to offer fruits that are round. This is again symbolic that when we cultivate in accordance to the Buddha’s teachings, we will eventually be perfectly rounded and attain the fruit of Buddhahood. For obvious reasons, we should not offer fruits that are sour, bitter or of unpleasant shapes.

• Demon Bane

  2 Dec 11, 12:21

  I think the main objective is to remind ourselves that we too have buddha nature within us...so when we pray to buddha's statue or portrait, our mentality improve....

• Dawnfirstlight

  2 Dec 11, 12:22

  Originally posted by realization:

  This thread hasn't expired yet...  since I happened to find this information today, thought it would be good to paste it here. 

  http://www.jenchen.org.sg/understa.htm

   

  What is the significance of bowing before the images of the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas? Is there any merit in doing so?
  
  

  Bowing before the Buddha image

  It is definitely true that bowing before the Buddha and Bodhisattvas to pay respects has merits. However, merits and blessings are different. Generally, when a person performs an act of giving, it is often knowledged that his "merits are boundless". Over time, the practice becomes a habit, resulting in a confusion between merits and blessings. To one who has enlightened to the truth, his virtuous deeds can be considered meritorious. Prior to that his noble deeds are acts of cultivating blessings.

  Many people criticize Buddhism for worshipping idols and images. In reality, many religions in this world worship idols and images. Those who pass such remarks about Buddhism may themselves pray religiously to idols and images. From an ultimate point of view, we will realize that Buddhism is the only religion that does not worship images. It is only because of sentient beings’ attachment to forms and images that the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas manifest themselves in these forms. Generally speaking, people who do not yet have a profound understanding of Buddhism, need to rely on the image of the Buddha as a guide. To those who have been enlightened to the truth, they are capable of realizing that in Buddhism the ultimate reality is formless.

  Let me illustrate with an example. Supposing there are some young children in kindergarten whose grandparents have long passed away, and they never knew how they looked like. The teacher may use pictures to illustrate how generally grandpas and grandmas would look like. These children will learn to understand that grandpa looked like an elderly man, and grandma looked like an elderly woman. These children soon progress to primary level education, followed by secondary level and eventually university education. It would be ridiculous for the university professor to use the same pictures that the kindergarten teacher had used in reference to their grandparents. At that level of education, the professor would perhaps use other more appropriate terms of ancestral relationship.

  It is the same with learning Buddhism. To a beginner, it helps to introduce the images of, for example, Amitabha Buddha, Avalokiteshvara (Kuan Yin) Bodhisattva or Sakyamuni Buddha, in order to inspire their respect for them. When one has attained a certain higher level of understanding, then one will be able to realize the following as stated in the Diamond Sutra: "All forms are but illusions; in seeing that all forms are illusory, then one sees the Tathagata." As to the true meaning of the "Buddha characteristics" of "all forms are illusory", it can only be realized through cultivation and awakening.

   

  What is the significance of offering incense, flowers, water and fruits?
  
  

  Offering incense, flowers, water and fruits

  The fragrance of the incense is symbolic of ethics and morality. These are the virtues of the Bodhisattva spirit of benefiting others and self. If we do not practise ethics and live immorally, then the offering of incense does not serve any purpose. Offering of incense is only meaningful if our conduct befits the correct standard and principle of ethics and morality.

  Flowers are symbolic of wisdom. We learn and practise Buddhism to unfold and develop our wisdom. When the wisdom blossoms in each and everyone of us, then as human beings, our conduct is like flowers in bloom. Everyone admires beautiful flowers and they are welcomed everywhere. Thus, when we make an offering of flowers to the Buddha, it is that we want to be like the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas who are so filled with wisdom.

  Water serves two purposes. Firstly, it quenches our thirst. A drink of water is so soothing and comfortable when we are thirsty. Secondly, it is for cleansing, for example, washing our clothes or the floor, etc. When we learn and practise Buddhism, the Dharma is like the morning dew, cleansing the impurities of our hearts and minds so that we are soothed and happy.

  The offering of fruits is made not because Buddha wants to eat them. When we learn and practise Buddhism, and perform virtuous deeds, these virtuous deeds should bear sweet fruits. Thus, the offering of fruits is symbolic of the results of our virtuous deeds. It is best to offer fruits that are round. This is again symbolic that when we cultivate in accordance to the Buddha’s teachings, we will eventually be perfectly rounded and attain the fruit of Buddhahood. For obvious reasons, we should not offer fruits that are sour, bitter or of unpleasant shapes.

   

  Good article. Thanks for sharing.

• sinweiy

  12 Dec 11, 08:54

  Originally posted by Demon Bane:

  I think the main objective is to remind ourselves that we too have buddha nature within us...so when we pray to buddha's statue or portrait, our mentality improve....

  
  good. yes. tot u x'tian.

  /\

• Demon Bane

  12 Dec 11, 09:01

  Originally posted by sinweiy:

  
  good. yes. tot u x'tian.

  /\

  No lah, I'm not x'tian....Been a buddhist many years and happy too!

• Amitayus48

  11 Jan 12, 12:25

  供佛�的正确观念是观那念，念那观