Expert: Justin Choo - 1/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: Recently I shifted into a new premise. I brought along my old "buddha image" and intend to set it up in my new home for veneration. It would be difficult for me to get a monk to "bless the image". Can I "bless" the image by myself. And how do I do it? By the way, the old "Buddha image" has never been blessed before.

ANSWER: Hi Lee,

Thank you for asking me.

Whenever I shifted, I would first move my Buddha image to the new place before the actual shift.  Then I would refer my chanting book and do some chanting.  If you don't have a chanting book, then recite the homage to the Buddha; the three refuges, and the 5 precepts.  At the end of the recitation, make a positive assertion that the Devas will protect the new home.

Happy moving.

Justinchoo :-)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your prompt reply.
a) I usually turn on recordings of sutta chanting by venerable bhikkhus and chant along with them. Some of the bhikkhus have already passed away. Is it proper to chant along or even hear chanting of bhikkhus who are already deceased?
b) I see photographs of monks who are still alive as well as those who have passed away being put on the altar together with the Buddha image. The idea is that when we pay homage to the Buddha image, we also venerate those venerable monks. Is it a correct practice according to Theravada?

Answer
Hi Lee,

a) You are practising the correct way.  Dead or alive, chanting is chanting.

b) No harm doing that.  But how many are you going to place?  Would you feel comfortable to leave out the rest?
My preference will be just the Buddha image.

Smile from justinchoo :-)