Ritual behavior is not required to be a good Buddhist, but it can be useful in instilling mindfulness and making it part of daily routines. Each time I move, I set up my little home shrine in a place where it can overlook my living quarters. This time, I’ve set it up on the top of the bookcase near the front door so that I look at it frequently every day, a reminder of life less temporal.
The shrine is made up of items I’ve collected on my journeys, mostly from Thailand, Japan, China and here in Las Vegas. Each item is associated with a specific memory. Most serve a specific purpose I can meditate on. It contains all the elements: earth (stones), water (in the chalice), fire (candles), and air (birds in flight). Also all of the senses: sight (Buddha images), sound (bell), smell (incense), touch (prayer beads) and taste (when I add some fresh fruit). There is also a “vault of treasures” (the wooden box used as a pedestal) that contains several talismans and trinkets, reminders of a rich inner world that cannot be seen. The shrine provides lots of symbolism and opportunity for reflection.
Over the past year or so, I haven’t been praying or meditating as often as I might. Now that I am establishing some new routines, there should be room for more ritual in my life. I am looking forward to it.
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