Basic Points for setting up a Soto ALTAR: As a center-point of PRACTICE: “The Buddha-altar (Butsudan) A Buddha-altar isn't only a place to honor one's ancestors. Within the altar, there is an area where Mt. Sumeru (the mountain at the center of the ) is represented and in the center of that area the main image is enshrined. In the same way as a temple's main Hall, the Buddha-altar is “the temple in the middle of the home”. hp://global.sotozen-net.or.jp/eng/commemoraon/altar.html • Liên: a focal-point of our commitment to PRACTICE • AND the ELEMENTS / stuff / paraphernalia which supports us to do it

GENERAL ALTAR POINTS: • Highest point in the room (not so much w/ SFZC Zendo but in BH; at Hoshinji…HUGE • SFZC: often has a cloth covering it….as a way to MARK THE SPACE, say on your dresser drawer • Part of your “ space” or “home Zendo space” • Cleaned with a separate cloth than your regular dust cloth; even one than for altar • CAN be tiered: (top to bottom: Buddha; flower/incense bowl, candle; bell, books, okesa/ rakusu)….. (AND, practically, may be…..) • Can have pictures of deceased persons (in US, of your teacher or maybe someone you esteem), name(s) of person(s) for well-being; Dharma or inspirational quotes; other important/ resonating items (rocks;feathers; water….)

Buddha: The most obvious of an altar element. • Typically a statue of the Buddha…..NOT that we are honoring an image or a person per se; more the EMBODIMENT or REPRESENTATION of our AWAKENED NATURE • Again, typically a STATUE but can be a drawing or picture • CENTER-POINT of the altar lay-out; at the back • Typically highest point in the room….Highest point on the altar itself (ie: no flower, candle higher) • That’s why typically on a PEDESTAL; a clean cloth at the very least • STATUE only cleaned/ dusted at NEW YEAR

Incense Bowl (Receptacle to receive incense or petals) • Center, below and in front of Buddha • Bowl has “front” and “back”: Mark is “front” • If has feet (typically 3), the front has only ONE foot • Sifted ash that “packed” just right so that it holds an incense stick up right but not too hard that doshi has to tap-tap/poke hard into it (A developed skill). • SMOOTH and flat or heaped • Or raw Rice or Water bowl to receive petals

Flowers: • On left, in front of Buddha • Odd # • No thorns; or at least, cut off • Not ALL white….Unless to commemorate death • Can-NOT be go above the Buddha’s head • NO dead flowers; dead-head

Candle • Right side, EQUAL distant fr/ incense bowl as the flowers are • Can-NOT be higher than Buddha’s head • Lit only for FORMAL sitting in Zendo; for service and lectures obviously

Other Dharma Items Bell Mala Sutra book/Dharma texts Incense/Match Holder Mokugyo

hp://global.sotozen-net.or.jp/eng/commemoraon/altar.html