Bodhisattva prayer, feng shui, and chi kung (in one space)

[Tom L]

Hello all,

I was wondering what is the proper way to pray and ask for Bodhisattva Guan Shi Yin's assistance. I have an image of her already. I cleaned a space for her on the top of my dresser in my bedroom, by a plant and a lamp. What can I put her on top of so she's not directly on my dresser? Also, I recently purchased what I think are joss sticks. Can you tell me if they are? Here's a description: The main label says "Lord Buddha." "red sandal wood and herbs mixed. the only incense made of herbs grown at the foot of Mt. Everest. produced by Chandra Devi. Kathmandu, Nepal." They are redish, and thicker than normal incense I've seen. There are about 30 in a bundle. Did I buy the right thing? Also, I need something to put them in. What's the proper thing to put them in?

Any other suggestions?

As a side note, I recently had to change my main indoor practice space for chi kung. It is now also in my bedroom, with Guan Yin. Do other people have a shared space like this- for sleeping, studying (homework), practicing, and praying? How does it work out? Do you think I should move Guan Yin from atop my dresser if I fear knocking the dresser during chi flow? How can I maximise the feng shui? I already felt like removing a large mirror from my closet door.

Thanks a ton for your suggestions.

---
Namo Guan Shi Yin Pusa

[Andrew]

Hi Tom,

I'm no expert on Buddhism nor Feng Shui. However, I had heard that it is dis-respectful to place Guan Yin in your bedroom. She should also not be place in anywhere you use for your personal hygiene (like a bathroom etc.). The kitchen is also not too good. She should ideally be placed in a high place overlooking your living space - assuming you don't have a separate altar or similar.

As far as Feng Shui is concerned in general, there is much more to it than just hanging up a few wind chimes or moving mirrors. You'd be best off looking for a good Feng Shui Master or consultant if you want the best results. Failing that, there are a large number of "self-help" Feng Shui books around with useful advice for the novice.

Andrew

[Tom L]

showing respect

Andrew,

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm not sure what I should do. I read Antonius' reply in another recent post in this section in "Buddha recitation" thread. There seems to be some give and take, depending on cultural differences, and individual preferences. There also seems to be some set ways of how best to be proper. I want to be respectful in my Guan Yin recitation. I haven't felt uncomfortable when I've done it thus far without an altar. I first bow. Then I just kneel down, close my eyes and forget my surroundings, and let go. And then I recite. When I'm finished, I prostrate thrice, stand up, bow, and walk away. I am going to offer a joss stick as soon as I get that set up, with a container. (what is suitable?)

Is it okay to recite in a bedroom in some circumstances? I survey my house, and find this the best respite. Otherwise, I could arrange to put Bodhisattva Guan Shi Yin's image in my family living room, and use this space early in the morning. I have mixed feelings about this in my family. I was thinking about my bedroom, and partitioning it off so that I would have a specific quarter meant solely for Guan Yin recitation, with a nice rug, a tall stand (possibly get an altar) with only Guan Yin's figure on it, and space for a joss stick. And then arranging it so that I would have a barrier between this space, and my chi kung practice space, so I wouldn't knock over the stand or get near.

As a new bedroom opened up, I plan to actually move my desk out, so that less activities ocupy my room, especially when I don't want to be bothered with studying.

So I hope I can come up with something good. Anthony, do you have a suggestion?

Thanks!
Tom

[Antonius]

(note: I wrote this before Tom posted his last response)

I think this is another example of cultural differences.

Like Andrew, I've also heard that it is disrespectful to place an image or idol of Guan Yin in your bedroom. I agree about the bathroom, but not the bedroom.

I draw the line at the batroom because it's obvious to me. I would not put a picture of my mother in my bathroom. I would, however, put one in my bedroom, even if that was not my only choice.

For many, the bedroom is the only choice. I know plenty of people who live in tiny studio apartments in Manhattan. Their entire life is in one room. Personally, I don't believe that people in these situations should be discouraged from Buddhism in any way.

Ideally, we would all have a separate room with an altar. I'm lucky enough to have one now, but in the past, I have been less lucky. I've crammed my life into one room. I may do it again in the near future.

For example, if I move down to Florida to live with my parents (to pursue a degree in acupuncture), I will not have the luxury of a separate room. My parents are not Buddhist. I would never disrespect THEM by placing an altar to Guan Yin in the living room. So I will place one in my bedroom instead.

Tom, I would suggest a nice cloth for her to sit on.

Unless I'm mistaken, a joss stick is just a stick of incense that we offer to a god or deity, like Guan Yin. Any type of incense will do.

I plant my incense in a big bowl of rice. They also make incense stands for this purpose.

[Quatro Bajina]

My two cents

Tom L:

1. If possible, make the cloth red. But not too red. Just plain old red like in the red ranger in every power ranger series

2. For the joss sticks, buy an incense holder to put them in after you pray. Your best bet would be China town.

3. Get a "table" for Her. I bought one in china town and it cost about $38. The "table" is basically red. Just said to the store owner that you are looking for a place to put your Guan Yin in.

[Quatro Bajina]

Pak Poi (SP?)

Tom L:

Now for the place to put Her:

Before I go any further, I want you to promise yourself that you will not use this method for your own benefit. You will only use this method to ask Guan Yin about Her preference. OK???

I learned this method from my mom who is a devout Buddhst since she was little.
This method is called "Pak Poi" (Sp?), in which Guan Yin will give you one of the answers: Yes or No. I used this method recently for the same purpose.

This is what you do:

1. Since you are just starting, just get two clean quaters.

2. Now kneel down and said that you want to ask her something. (While holding that two clean quaters). It is preferable to do this after you have prayed and have put joss sticks on the incense holder.

3. Ask Her whather it is OK to put Her in the place that you put her. Explain to Her why you put Her there.

4. This is very important!!! Say this specifically " If it is alright, please give me a seng poi (Sp?)"

5. Now toss the quaters. If they end up different (One tail and one heads), then She is alright with the place. If they are the same (Two heads or two tails), then it is not!

6. If the answer is no, then tell Her to guide you so you know where to put Her.

Couple things to remember:

1. Do this is the morning. Preferably before 9 AM.
2. Step 3 is very important. You need to explain to Her specifically why you put Her there. Don't just say that you put Her there because you feel like it...

For example: When I move to my new apartment, I have nowhere to put Her since my apartment is very small. I have no other choice but to put her in the "living room" which is very close to my kitchen. I explain to Her that this is the best place I can find Her. Then I ask the question. She gave me a Seng Poi afterwards. Like Antonius stated, it depends on the situation.


PS: For the joss sticks, make sure you offer Her either 1, 3 or 9. I gave 3 joss sticks each time I pray.

Sorry for the long post. Please let me know if you need me to clarify some of these

[Tom L]

Thanks for helping me here. I'm still thinking about how I'd like to set up my room, where to pray and where to do chi kung. I really do not want get near my Guan Yin setup while spinning around. I was wondering if it was okay to move it away while I practice, so I don't have any thoughts of knocking it down. The space I found most suitable (I think) for Guan Yin, is also the space I wanted for chi kung. Quatro Bajina, thanks for the method. I didn't try it (yet). I just had thoughts that it would be best to put her right in front of my window, in direct line with my bedroom door. I'm also seeing if I can practice chi kung in my living room so I don't have to worry about this.

I'm just not sure about these things. Is there a guide available on how to properly pay homage to Guan Yin? The only place I checked was www.drba.org, web home of the late Venerable Master Hsuan Hua. It didn't give specifics like what I'm wondering about now.

Also, I would like to ask Guan Yin for acceptance to pray to her. Is this something I need to do or that I can do? Or can I simply call her name sincerely and pay respect? The reason I ask is because I feel like I want to commence a formal, continual practice to her.


Quatro Bajina, just to assure you, I would only use that method as you specified. Do I have to do that though?

another one- so I offer a joss stick after I recite and ask a request? Do I then just let it burn and leave? I'm unfamiliar with the procedure.

last one- Anthony, you said you have a big bowl and rice to place the joss sticks. What are some other good ways of doing this? My joss sticks don't fit in the small flat incense holders. The hole is too small. So I need to place it in some material. Is sand an okay idea or not?

By the way, I think I found a nice stand for her for now. It is lower than eye level when standing, but I would only use it when kneeling. Later I may get a "table". And I think I found a nice red cloth too. But is white okay? That is simply my preference- but maybe I should leave myself completely out of this Oh, and I do not have a Chinatown here in Madison, at least not that I know of. I found a few oriental shops.

I really do appreciate your help throughout this. It is very kind of you.

[Quatro Bajina]

Tom L:

I was wondering if it was okay to move it away while I practice, so I don't have any thoughts of knocking it down.

This is very important: once you put Her, don't change the place many times, unless you know She doesn't like the spot.

Furthermore, if you move Her, do it in the morning, before 12 PM. After that, don't do it, unless it is very very very important.

Quatro Bajina, just to assure you, I would only use that method as you specified. Do I have to do that though?

If you are a risk averse person like I am, then I would suggest that you do it. If not, then I don't think it's a problem.

another one- so I offer a joss stick after I recite and ask a request?

Yes after you put the Joss sticks in the incense holder, go back to the kneeling position and ask.

Do I then just let it burn and leave? I'm unfamiliar with the procedure.

I am not too sure what you mean by this. If after you ask Her, then yes.

And I think I found a nice red cloth too. But is white okay? That is simply my preference- but maybe I should leave myself completely out of this

Red is better. I forgot to mention one crucial fact: Make sure that it's an unused clean cloth.

[Darryl]

From Quatro Bajina

From Quatro Bajina, not me

Tom L:

You might want to offer Her a glass of drinking water as well. Boil the water first.

The next day, change the water to a new one. Drink the old one. If you have injuries, pour the water to the injured spot.

[Darryl]

Sloppy editing

Hi folks,

I was attempting to start a new thread with Quatro's comments re drinking the water. Unfortunately, I have once again displayed my lack of IT skills .

It may be different in these circumstances (I'm not a Buddhist) but as a rule NEVER eat or drink anything that was uncovered in your room after your chi flows. As to Quatro's advice, I won't comment as I don't know. It may be that you can drink the water as long as you haven't trained in that room yet, although that would limit you to training once per day (or drinking twice per day).

[Andrew]

.....as a rule NEVER eat or drink anything that was uncovered in your room after your chi flows.

Just to avoid confusion, this means if some uncovered food or drink was in the room during a chi flow, then it is best not to eat (or drink) it.

[Quatro Bajina]

WahnamCH & Darryl

Just to avoid confusion, this means if some uncovered food or drink was in the room during a chi flow, then it is best not to eat (or drink) it.

I didn't know this. Thanks for pointing this one out

Question:

If the water is covered, then it's OK, right? Or it's stays the same?

The reason I ask is because I practice on my patio outside and I open my door and windows. The Guan Yin Statue located near my "Living room" which is close to the window. I drank the water from this cup, but I always cover it . I don't experience any deviation or anything. Or probably not yet

[Darryl]

Good question

Excellent question Quatro.

If your training space is well ventilated, your glass is covered and it is placed in front of your representation of Guan Yin, then it may very well be OK. That said, 'Safety First' would disincline me to drink the water.

As to why you do not consume any uncovered food or drink, I dont have an exact answer. I have been told not to, so I dont.

During one of the regional courses, someone left a banana (unpeeled) on a table and after everyone (30 - 40 people) had had a chi flow, the banana was black and rotten looking, literally within 10-15 minutes! Yes, there were a lot of people there but even so, it was a very vivid lesson.

[ahakan]

Hi Darryl & WahnamCH,

I was wondering why I am not told about this rule when I started to learn Chi Kung, but I think it doesn't matter anymore, because I never have trained in a room with food and drinks. ( I don't like the smell of food and drink during training. )

So basicallly, if those 10 or 15 minutes aren't over and you just happened to eat that banana....

[Antonius]

So basicallly, if those 10 or 15 minutes aren't over and you just happened to eat that banana....

Dr. Evil: "Now, Mr. Bond, you will die! Mwoohahahaha!"
Austin Powers: "Oh no! Not the contaminated banana!!!"

Let's keep things in perspective. A contaminated banana is not going to kill you. I'm not entirely sure, but it's probably no worse than eating at McDonald's.