M.G.

Hi minee, I think for (1), enci would meant that a buddhist shouldn't meddle with either bazi or fengshui, let alone a staunch buddhist as said by mace, as it might confuse people that buddhist would meddle with bazi and/or fengshui. Lord Buddha often taught that it is our thoughts, actions and speech that decides whether one would be in auspicious situation or not. I believe it will be fair for FSM to distinguish clearly and appropriately between fengshui and Buddhism. I always wonder why don't FSM have fengshui mix with Christianity, Islam, <fill in the blank religion>. I may not be a fengshui expert myself but to the best of my understanding in fengshui, it is definitely one of the most dedicated and exquisite fine arts that developed by our Chinese ancestors. I hope to seek your kind understanding =)

I still sleep on the ground! 'cos the ground is bigger than the bed! Hehe. Anyway, Maeryn, I think if you want to have a FSM to consult in your house then I think you should have done so while planning the theme and design with your ID. That would have saved on the knocking and hacking right? From buddhistic pointview, what makes a person having a good night sleep is to have a clear conscience and a mind that is not restless. When a person at home, it's time to relax! And Mace, I don't think it's right for you to say that for dirty things that can't be seen get monks to clean up. Firstly, monks are not cleaners. What they do is to recite some simple mantras and sutra to dedicate the house to the Lord Buddha. This is a way in return to hope for the dirty things to receive the grace and blessings of the Lord Buddha and hencefore be 'obedient' and not to disturb the human residents. =)

Hello Eddy, From a buddhistic point of view, it will depends whether or not is it due to practical reason to have a tall rack and/or cabinet ie. save up the space. I think most important is that the rack and/or cabinet has to suit your theme. Shoe rack and/or cabinet probably is the first thing you will see when you reach home. If it's messy, untidy, I believe it will definitely defeat the 'coming-home-and-relac' feeling, right? =) Another point to take note is hygiene, if the shoes were to be kept in the cabinet, it will mean that the shoes will get less air ventilated, will it made the shoes to be smelly and in return causing fungus at the foot? But if on the rack, it will tend to look messy too. So I think you have to consider the pros and cons for yourself. I used to have fungus on my feet so I always keep my shoes in the open to ventilate =X In regards to not having the cabinet higher than the altar, well, if it's a taoist deity altar, maybe it does have this issue and it will be appropriate for you to consult the proper taoist representatives to clarify. However if you are to have a shrine honoring Buddha or Guanyin, it doesn't matter. The statue of Buddha or Guanyin simply serve as a reminder of our own Buddha-nature that is always in our hearts. Nothing can be more "dirty" than a heart that fills with jealousy, anger, arrogance, etc...At the same time, nothing comes more "pure" than a heart of consideration, tolerance, understanding, kindness, etc... Hope it helps =)

Hi Air, It's a chinese practice to pray to tian gong before praying at the main shrine. So what you see at the temple in Bugis is not a wrong practice since it's a chinese temple. However praying to tian gong is not a necessary practice for a buddhist. In an earlier post, you were asking how to know if one is a buddhist or taoist. I think that is an important question. I think to call oneself a follower of a particular religion, whether a serious worshipper or not (by this I think you were refering to those who go to prayers more often?), that person should at least know the background of founder of that particular religion he or she is in; and to agree to the cause. Since Guan Yin is mentioned by Lord Sakyamuni Buddha, therefore I think a buddhist should know Lord Sakyamuni Buddha's background. What motivated the young prince to give up his luxurious lifestyle to search for the meaning of life? What is the message of Lord Sakyamuni Buddha? Do you believe that what Lord Sakyamuni Buddha had discovered can benefit you? If your answers to all of the above are yes, congratulations, you are indeed a buddhist with understanding. But if your answers are not, I think you are still considered as a buddhist, for the fact that you have an affinity with Guan Yin. Guan Yin's full title is Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa (Sanskrit: Avalokitesvra Boddhisattva), which means He who perceive the sound (prayers) of the world. Guan Yin is one of the best example of one of Lord Sakyamuni Buddha's values --- Compassion. As mentioned in Chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra, Guan Yin will take various forms that will have the best affinity to the person who needs help. This shows not only a compassionate heart but also skillful means to reach out to different people. I assume you pray to Guan Yin when you feel the need and it calms you. That is good and it further shows the affinity you have with Guan Yin. From a buddhist's perspective, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are unlike deities, They don't need the offerings to live. For a buddhist, offering of light represents wisdom overcoming delusion; incense represents virtues; water represents clarity and reflections, etc. The physical offerings are suppose to symbolise various values that a buddhist should try to practice. So if you are to have a shrine honouring Guan Yin, whether or not to pray with these items are really optional. Because when a buddhist prostrate in front of a statue of Buddha or Bodhisattva, it is an admiration and gesture of willingness to understake the buddhist values rather than simply hope that they will be blessed when they do nothing on their part. The best way of honouring Guan Yin is to learn to be more compassionate. Of course you and I are imperfect, but fret not, we always try our best. At least, be more considerate to your spouse; and extend this consideration to your parents; your in-laws; family; friends; colleagues, etc. This is akin to Guan Yin 'in various forms'. I'm sure you will notice that people around you have different temperament, some are more easy-going, whereas some are more difficult to deal with. So you will gradually developed your skillful means and this experience may in turn groom your self-confidence in meeting different people in different settings. This is how Buddhas and Bodhisattvas blessed us, that is by living their values. Buddhism is definitely more than burning incense, offering flowers, praying to relics, etc. It is a lifestyle, a lifestyle of keeping our desires in check and living a life with fullfillment and purpose. Apologies for the long post but do feel free to PM me if you wish to discuss more. I will look forward to it. =)