Prayer mats can have lotus patterns but not Buddha’s name on them
Excerpt from Wenda 20150403 05:05
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller:
Can we use prayer mats with lotus patterns?
Master Lu:
Yes you can. You will be like a lotus if you are pure. Only pure people deserve a lotus while the defiled ones do not.
Caller:
Can we use prayer mats with characters on them, such as “Lotus Prayer Mat”? The characters are yellow and there’s a lotus in the centre.
Master Lu:
It’s not a problem. You can’t have Buddhas’ names on them, such as “Guan Yin Bodhisattva” or “Amitabha”.
The colour of prayer mats; black and white must not be used.
Excerpt from Wenda 20130616A 55:17
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller:
Is there any requirement about the colour of our prayer mat? Can we use red or yellow mats?
Master Lu:
Absolutely. Red and yellow are both good choices. Do not use black or white prayer mats.
Etiquette of Using Prayer Mats
You should not sit on, kick, or step over prayer mats
Prayer mats must not be sat on.
Excerpt from Wenda 20130614 18:39
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
The prayer mats mustn’t be sat on. Many people are unaware of that. They would sit on the mats and then perform prostrations on it. However, there are both Yin and Yang on the human body as well. The lower body belongs to Yin while the upper body belongs to Yang, and they should not be mixed on the same mat.
Accidentally kicking, stepping over or sitting on a prayer mat.
Excerpt from Shuohua 20130614 25:33
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller:
If a prayer mat in the local Guan Yin Citta Centre was accidentally kicked or stepped on by new practitioners, what should we do with the mat?
Master Lu:
It wouldn’t be a problem if they accidentally kicked the mat as it is not intentional. Don’t be too worried. Even though they stepped over the mat, just recite some scriptures.
Caller:
What scriptures should I recite?
Master Lu:
You can recite the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance once, Qi Fo Mie Zui Zhen Yan seven times and the Xiao Zai Ji Xiang Shen Zhou once.
Caller:
Can it still be used?
Master Lu:
Yes, you can. There’s no problem.
Accidentally sitting on a prayer mat in the Guan Yin Citta Centre.
Excerpt from Wenda 20131227 01:23:22
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller:
If young children accidentally sit on the prayer mat in the Guan Yin Citta Centre, should they recite the Eighty-Eight Great Repentance?
Master Lu:
The parent can recite this scripture once for the child.
Caller:
What if an elderly person sits on it?
Master Lu:
Don’t worry, recite this scripture once.
Caller:
Ok, what should we do with the mat?
Master Lu:
You can keep using it. Wash the cover more often as it creates merits and virtues.
Recite the Qi Fo Mie Zui Zhen Yan seven times after accidentally kicking on or stepping over a prayer mat.
How to store the prayer mats after using them
Excerpt from Wenda 20160318 01:23:20
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
Caller:
Master said earlier that the plate used for offering Little Houses should be placed upright when not in use, does that mean we need to put the mat upright as well when not using them?
Master Lu:
You can put the mat under your altar if you have been using it. If you put it beside the altar, you have to put it upright. This is for two reasons. First, it will be disrespectful if others step over it. Second, it will be cleaner and therefore more respectful if you put it upright.
Caller:
When we put things for daily use upright, does that mean they have stopped working?
Master Lu:
No. Flat things such as photos can easily attract spirits when placed upright. They would have an effect. Prayer mats are an exception.
发表于 2021-9-7 13:26:33