Hondo/Onaijin 101

BERKELEY BUDDHIST TEMPLE

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Hondo/Onaijin 101

Hanging from the "Gokuden" roof will be some dangly things called "Yoraku" (yo-rah-koo). These are actually representation of jewelry which was worn on the body and hair during the time of Shakyamuni.
Sitting in front of the Central Object of Reverence (Amida Buddha) will be a table called "uwajoku" (oo-wahjoe-koo). And usually sitting on this table is two bulb-shaped vases "kebyo" (kay-byoh), the offerings of rice "buppan-ki" (boop-pahn- key) and a candle. You'll always find sprigs of greenery in the two bulb-shape vases, but these are NOT placed on the altar as offerings of flowers. Rather these two bulb-shaped vases were originally to represent offerings of water and thus the green sprigs represented fresh water. It is said that only flowing water remains pure and thus this is a symbol of the Dhanna.
Why do we offer rice?
For thousands of years, rice has been the MOST important food item in Asia where Buddhism originated. Thus, followers always placed an offering of rice and other food items on the altar as an expression of their utmost gratitude to the Buddha.
Why do some temples have two rice offerings on the upper table sitting on the "uwajoku" table sitting on the Shumidan?
There are various meanings given -- some say one rice offering is for Amida Buddha and the other is for Shakyamuni Buddha. Others say the two rice offerings represent the Shinshu concept of "Jiri Rita Enman" (gee-ree-ree-tah-n-mahn) - "perfect integration of self-benefit and benefiting others."
What do the silk brocade cloth "uchishiki" (ooh-chee-she-kry) represent?
During the time of Shakyamuni Buddha, it was a custom to place fine pieces of cloth for the Buddha to sit on when he gave Dharma talks to his disciples. The silk brocade cloth of today represents this ancient tradition of respect to the Shakyamuni Buddha.

Traditionally, at funerals, white "uchishiki" are used or if the temple does not have white uchishiki, then these colored uchishiki are turned over and the reverse sides are usually white and can be used for that purpose during funerals.
Why are white flowers placed on the altar at funerals?
It is said that when Shakyamuni Buddha died, he was lying between two sala trees, and when he died, the leaves of these trees turned white and fell off, thus white flowers are a symbol of mourning from the time of the Buddha. more …

BERKELEY BUDDHIST TEMPLE
… Hondo/Onaijin 101
Hanging from the "Gokuden" roof will be some dangly things called "Yoraku" (yo-rah-koo). These are actually representation of jewelry which was worn on the body and hair during the time of Shakyamuni. Sitting in front of the Central Object of Reverence (Amida Buddha) will be a table called "uwajoku" (oo-wahjoe-koo). And usually sitting on this table is two bulb-shaped vases "kebyo" (kay-byoh), the offerings of rice "buppan-ki" (boop-pahn- key) and a candle. You'll always find sprigs of greenery in the two bulb-shape vases, but these are NOT placed on the altar as offerings of flowers. Rather these two bulb-shaped vases were originally to represent offerings of water and thus the green sprigs represented fresh water. It is said that only flowing water remains pure and thus this is a symbol of the Dhanna. Why do we offer rice? For thousands of years, rice has been the MOST important food item in Asia where Buddhism originated. Thus, followers always placed an offering of rice and other food items on the altar as an expression of their utmost gratitude to the Buddha. Why do some temples have two rice offerings on the upper table sitting on the "uwajoku" table sitting on the Shumidan? There are various meanings given -- some say one rice offering is for Amida Buddha and the other is for Shakyamuni Buddha. Others say the two rice offerings represent the Shinshu concept of "Jiri Rita Enman" (gee-ree-ree-tah-n-mahn) - "perfect integration of self-benefit and benefiting others." What do the silk brocade cloth "uchishiki" (ooh-chee-she-kry) represent? During the time of Shakyamuni Buddha, it was a custom to place fine pieces of cloth for the Buddha to sit on when he gave Dharma talks to his disciples. The silk brocade cloth of today represents this ancient tradition of respect to the Shakyamuni Buddha. Traditionally, at funerals, white "uchishiki" are used or if the temple does not have white uchishiki, then these colored uchishiki are turned over and the reverse sides are usually white and can be used for that purpose during funerals. Why are white flowers placed on the altar at funerals? It is said that when Shakyamuni Buddha died, he was lying between two sala trees, and when he died, the leaves of these trees turned white and fell off, thus white flowers are a symbol of mourning from the time of the Buddha. more …
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