Happy Buddha

[myfs_80811]

Please give us some insight about happy budda, where shall we place it, where shall it be facing? thanks a lot.

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Rufina,
Although most often, figurines do not possess any special powers.
However, figurines of deities (gods) or or famous religious persons should preferably not be placed:-
1. Whenever possible, try to avoid placing `such objects' facing directly the main entrance door. (They do not symbolise security guards for the home).
2. It is inaupicious to place such figurines on the same wall as the toilet door.
3. Where possible, they should not be placed facing bedrooms. It is felt that looking into a human being room is `dirty'. Simple things like changing clothes etc.. are usually done in the room.
4. For an altar, it is very inauspicious for it to be placed facing a dining table. Here, it was felt that the deities or gods should not be `seeing' one eating.
5. Where possible, especially if it is an altar, it should face clear space especially if there is a window looking out of the frontage of the house.
These are the most common `rulesets' relating to placement of altar deities. And in many cases, it relates also to religious objects (most of the time).
Attached please find a caricature, on this subject. (Not available for those who subscribe thru mailing list. Need to login to website forum).
Warmest Regards,
Cecil Lee

Quote

On 5/2/2002 12:04:00 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Please give us some insight
about happy budda, where shall
we place it, where shall it be
facing? thanks a lot.

[Cecil Lee]

Furtehr to what I mentioned, this caricature list the important `rulesets' regarding the placement of figurines...
Warmest Regards,
Cecil Lee

Quote

On 5/2/2002 4:38:00 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear Rufina,
Although most often, figurines
do not possess any special
powers.
However, figurines of deities
(gods) or or famous religious
persons should preferably not
be placed:-
1. Whenever possible, try to
avoid placing `such objects'
facing directly the main
entrance door. (They do not
symbolise security guards for
the home).
2. It is inaupicious to place
such figurines on the same
wall as the toilet door.
3. Where possible, they should
not be placed facing bedrooms.
It is felt that looking into a
human being room is `dirty'.
Simple things like changing
clothes etc.. are usually done
in the room.
4. For an altar, it is very
inauspicious for it to be
placed facing a dining table.
Here, it was felt that the
deities or gods should not be
`seeing' one eating.
5. Where possible, especially
if it is an altar, it should
face clear space especially if
there is a window looking out
of the frontage of the house.
These are the most common
`rulesets' relating to
placement of altar deities.
And in many cases, it relates
also to religious objects
(most of the time).
Attached please find a
caricature, on this subject.
(Not available for those who
subscribe thru mailing list.
Need to login to website
forum).
Warmest Regards,
Cecil Lee

[wasis]

Dear Cecil,
Do the rulesets apply also to such figurines as Guan Gong, Buddha Maitreya, Kwan Im
Po Sat, God of Wealth (Chai Sen Ye Ye)?
As for an altar, is it ok to be placed on the same wall as the toilet?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Wasis
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cecil Lee"
Newsgroups: moderated.all.general.free-advice
Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2002 3:41 PM
Subject: Happy Budda

Quote

Furtehr to what I mentioned, this caricature list the important `rulesets'
regarding the placement of figurines...
Warmest Regards,
Cecil Lee
On 5/2/2002 4:38:00 AM, Cecil Lee wrote:
>Dear Rufina,
>
>Although most often, figurines
>do not possess any special
>powers.
>
>However, figurines of deities
>(gods) or or famous religious
>persons should preferably not
>be placed:-
>
>1. Whenever possible, try to
>avoid placing `such objects'
>facing directly the main
>entrance door. (They do not
>symbolise security guards for
>the home).
>
>2. It is inaupicious to place
>such figurines on the same
>wall as the toilet door.
>
>3. Where possible, they should
>not be placed facing bedrooms.
>It is felt that looking into a
>human being room is `dirty'.
>Simple things like changing
>clothes etc.. are usually done
>in the room.
>
>4. For an altar, it is very
>inauspicious for it to be
>placed facing a dining table.
>Here, it was felt that the
>deities or gods should not be
>`seeing' one eating.
>
>5. Where possible, especially
>if it is an altar, it should
>face clear space especially if
>there is a window looking out
>of the frontage of the house.
>
>These are the most common
>`rulesets' relating to
>placement of altar deities.
>And in many cases, it relates
>also to religious objects
>(most of the time).
>
>Attached please find a
>caricature, on this subject.
>(Not available for those who
>subscribe thru mailing list.
>Need to login to website
>forum).
>
>Warmest Regards,
>Cecil Lee
Attached file:

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Wasis,
1. In my opinion, I personally find your question `tough' to answer.
2. Usually, taking the lawyer's term: cavet emptor or `let the buyer beware' should be more appropriate ... choice here.
3. There is a further `twist' to this. Nowadays, there are so many commercial items.
Simply go to any `Feng Shui emporium' type of shops on the internet and one can see .. as you mentioned so many `wealth', `protection' or `prosperity' type of figurines. These comes in many forms.
Many of these should be classified as under
" decorative items' as suggested in the attached `caricature'.
4. Traditionally - What constitutes as an altar object?
4.1 In the religious sense, many of these figurines had their eyes painted.
Once these eyes were `painted' by a priest, these are considered altar objects.
4.2 We also find, buddhist stones. Many of these are stones or rocks carved with a religious figurine. And the owners usually encase these objects in beautiful gold casings - after they were blessed by priests in temples.
4.3 Objects or figurines that we ourselves, purchased from a temple and `invite' them to our homes.
4.4 We voluntary and place these objects or figurines on our `altar'.
The above, is a rough view of what objects on an altar is like.
Frankly, other objects are more difficult to classify. And as mentioned above " cavet emptor " prevails.
5. No, the altar should preferably not be placed on the same wall as the toilet. This is considered inauspicious.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 5/2/2002 7:52:57 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear Cecil,
Do the rulesets apply also to
such figurines as Guan Gong,
Buddha Maitreya, Kwan Im
Po Sat, God of Wealth (Chai
Sen Ye Ye)?
As for an altar, is it ok to
be placed on the same wall as
the toilet?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Wasis

[wasis]

Dear Cecil,
Please see below:

Quote

5. No, the altar should preferably not be placed on the same wall as the
toilet. This is considered inauspicious.
The altar in my house shares the same wall with the toilet but it is not on the other
side of the toilet. Perhaps the picture I attach could clarify the situation. In
addition, there is a painting of "The 8 Immortals crossing the sea" hanged on the
wall which is exactly on the other side of the toilet. Are both placements of altar &
painting considered inauspicious? Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Wasis
>As for an altar, is it ok to
>be placed on the same wall as
>the toilet?

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Wasis,
Thank you for your file attachment of your layout plan.
1. I have taken the liberty of also adding the bedroom layout plan based on Shapes and Form Feng Shui.
2. The two main attachments:-
blueprint-wasis1.jpg - Option 1 with bedroom/wardrope layouts under S/no. 1, 2, 3, 4.
And alter position Alternative 1.
blueprint-wasis2.jpg - Option 2 with alternative bedroom/wardrope layouts under S/no. 1A, 2A and 3A.
3. With alternative positions for the placement of the altar:-
3.1 Alternative 1A
3.2 Alternative 1B
3.3 Alternative 2
3.4 Alternative 3
4. Comments
Before we look at the various alternatives, my major concerns are as follows:-
4.1 Your proposed location is acceptable even if it is on the same wall as the toilet area since, this wall is `clean' and unlike the location where you had the 8 immortals picture placed. The altar should not be at that location (since it is on the opposite wall as the WC).
4.2 The main concern with your proposed location is that the altar will be facing `into' the bedroom. Marked as S/no 1.
I tried to play with the various orientation of the bed in this bedroom and it seems that each way, the the bed will face the altar directly and thus inauspicious.
In Part II, I will attach file attachments of :-
blueprint-wasis3.jpg
blueprint-wasis4.jpg
5. Comments on the various alternatives of the placement of the altar
Alternative 1A is inauspicious IF it faces the main door. (From your past message, you mentioned that you may want to tilt the main door entrance. If so, this spot may be considered afterwards.
Alternative 1B - this is a possibility.
Alernative 2 - this is acceptable location. And it's distinct advantage is that the living room and dining room can be segregated into two `auspicious' rectangular shape.
Alternative 1 - this is acceptable location. As it is similar to option Alternative 2, where the living room and dining room can be segregated into two `auspicious' rectangular shape. The only decision if this is chosen is either whether to face towards the garage area or pavement area.
Alternative 3 - is a remote possibility. I say remote because, it would be inauspicious to have the altar face the dining table. If it does not and if the altar is higher than the basin opposite it, then this is a possible location.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 5/8/2002 9:12:00 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear Cecil,
Please see below:
5. No, the altar should preferably not be placed on the same wall as the
toilet. This is considered inauspicious.
The altar in my house shares
the same wall with the toilet
but it is not on the other
side of the toilet. Perhaps
the picture I attach could
clarify the situation. In
addition, there is a painting
of "The 8 Immortals crossing
the sea" hanged on the
wall which is exactly on the
other side of the toilet. Are
both placements of altar &
painting considered
inauspicious? Thanks in
advance.
Regards,
Wasis
>As for an altar, is it ok to
>be placed on the same wall as
>the toilet?

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Wasis,
Attached please two additional alternatives.
Appreciate, if you can further comment on what the altar is e.g. praying to.
Please refer to my earlier comments under Part I on these two files.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Wasis,
If the altar is not for praying e.g. holding figurines, you can still leave it on the position you had proposed earlier. But tilt the figurines looking away from the bedroom.
Here, tilt the figurines towards the living room area would be acceptable.
But if it is an altar for praying, then, the figurines should not be tilted but an alternative location should be looked at.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

[wasis]

Dear Cecil,
Thank your for your quick response. The altar is used to pray to the ancestors. It is
attached to the wall and 1,8 meter above the floor.
As for the cabinet (facing outward), we use it to place figurines of Gods such as
Kwan Im, God of Wealth, etc. However, they have never been prayed.
Please see below:

Quote

5. Comments on the various alternatives of the placement of the altar
Alternative 1A is inauspicious IF it faces the main door. (From your past
message, you mentioned that you may want to tilt the main door entrance. If so,
this spot may be considered afterwards.
Yes, I want to tilt the main door from B to A. Fortunately, there is a cabinet
between guest room and living room. And the altar is 1,8 meter above the floor which
is higher than the basin on the opposite wall. Is this acceptable?
Alternative 1B - this is a possibility.
Well, we already have a cabinet on this spot to segregate guest room and living room.
Alernative 2 - this is acceptable location. And it's distinct advantage is that
the living room and dining room can be segregated into two `auspicious'
rectangular shape.
Alternative 3 - is a remote possibility. I say remote because, it would be
inauspicious to have the altar face the dining table. If it does not and if the
altar is higher than the basin opposite it, then this is a possible location.
We have TV sets on this spot. Can the altar be placed just few meters to the left
which is opposite of the current location? The position will be at Alternatif 2 but
facing towards main bedroom. By this, the altar doesn't face the dinning table and
bed no. 4. I'd like to add also that no basin in the dinning room.

As for the painting of "8 Immortals", could you suggest where I should place it?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Wasis
(File attachment removed)

[wasis]

Sorry about the file attachment. I resend the file.

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Wasis,
Please see below:-

Quote

On 5/8/2002 8:16:31 PM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear Cecil,
Thank your for your quick
response. The altar is used to
pray to the ancestors. It is
attached to the wall and 1,8
meter above the floor.

You can perhaps check whether your altar table meets this criteria. Apologies if it is in inches. But if you are using metric, then it is easily converted.
The standard auspicious measurement for an altar is as follows:-
For a lower altar table:
height: Between 40.5 inches to 44 inches
For a higher altar table:
(This is the most common height)
height: Between 49 inches to 52 inches
Auspicious Width of table:
miminum width: Between 15inches to 19inches
other auspicious width/depth:
Between: 32 inches to 36 inches or
Between: 40.5 inches to 44 inches
Between: 49 inches to 52 inches
Between: 57 inches to 61 inches
It is best to have the altar within the above auspicious dimensions.
Do take note that it is preferred that the altar table is based on a higher height i.e.
height: Between 49 inches to 52 inches.
This is to ensure that children do not accidentally touch the items on the altar.

Quote

As for the cabinet (facing
outward), we use it to place
figurines of Gods such as
Kwan Im, God of Wealth, etc.
However, they have never been
prayed.

Since they are not prayed to avoid letting them face directly the main door. They can be tilted to face inwards e.g. to the living room area.

Quote

Please see below:
5. Comments on the various alternatives of the placement of the altar
Alternative 1A is inauspicious IF it faces the main door. (From your past
message, you mentioned that you may want to tilt the main door entrance. If so,
this spot may be considered afterwards.
Yes, I want to tilt the main
door from B to A. Fortunately,
there is a cabinet
between guest room and living
room. And the altar is 1,8
meter above the floor which
is higher than the basin on
the opposite wall. Is this
acceptable?

The present location is better since you are intending to tilt the door. If so, the present location is not an issue.

Quote

Alternative 1B - this is a possibility.
Well, we already have a
cabinet on this spot to
segregate guest room and
living room.
Alernative 2 - this is acceptable location. And it's distinct advantage is that
the living room and dining room can be segregated into two `auspicious'
rectangular shape.
Alternative 3 - is a remote possibility. I say remote because, it would be
inauspicious to have the altar face the dining table. If it does not and if the
altar is higher than the basin opposite it, then this is a possible location.
We have TV sets on this spot.
Can the altar be placed just
few meters to the left
which is opposite of the
current location? The position
will be at Alternatif 2 but
facing towards main bedroom.
By this, the altar doesn't
face the dinning table and
bed no. 4. I'd like to add
also that no basin in the
dinning room.

Looks like the present location is better than this site. As it is not appropriate to have the altar next to the TV set i.e. this area is no good.

Quote

As for the painting of "8
Immortals", could you suggest
where I should place it?
Thanks in advance.

It is best to avoid placing it on the opposite wall of the toilet bowl as in the present situation.
It is equally bad to have it face the dining table or facing your altar.
From what I can see, there is not much room to place it unless you can place it between this picture and the altar. Attached please find an alternative position (provided it is not facing the main door).
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

[Cecil Lee]

 

A painting of the 8 immortals (deities) crossing the sea...
Option the 8 immortals are also deplicted on Chinese vases...

 

Quote

As for the painting of "8 Immortals", could you suggest where I should place it?
Thanks in advance.