A Ch'an Dao Shrine.

[Shi Da Dao]

This is our home shrine. It serves as a connection point between the world of ego and the world of the Mind Ground. It is a conduit of spiritual development and a focal centre of energy. It reminds us that there is a world beyond surface phenomena. Our family shrine has pictures of our deceased relatives hanging next to it, and the shrine itself has a central Buddha with various other spiritual beings and symbols assembled around it. All paths up the mountain lead to the same smmit, if we are willing see it as such. This shrine also serves as a 'name shrine' and is associated with a number of family surnames from both East and West. Incense is lit everyday and prayers are said for the well-being of all life, in the past, present and future times. The shrine is our Mind in both essence and in manifestation. All shrines are Ch'an Dao - or Mind Way.

Peace in the Dharma

[dazen]

greetings, Shi Da Dao.

Indeed, this is most excellent.
Alas, I cannot provide an image of my own shrine, but may this prayer of aspiration serve as well.

A Light Offering Prayer.

I consider that this lamp is made of the finest precious metal,
And is as vast as the entire billionfold universe.
It is filled completely with the finest essence of butter and in its
centre is planted a wick as large as Mount Meru.
Its flame is alight and has the nature of the five wisdoms :
In appearance, it blazes with the dazzling splendour of a billion suns,
Its light pervading everywhere throughout all the realms of the ten directions.
Out of this radiant expanse, appear vast clouds of offerings like Samantabhadra's,
To make gifts throughout all eternity, until the very ends of time.
So that the objects of our prayers, be they living or dead, gather the two accumalations,
Purify the two kinds of obscuration, and swiftly attain unsurpassable awakening.

gaton ngawang lekpa ( 1864 ~ 1941 )
trans. Adam Pearcey
Lotsawahouse.org

Peace in the Dharma.