Thanks for the previous answer, but I have some more questions.
If you open the altar in the morning, can it remain open for the whole day, even if you are not there?
Also, I’ve read/heard that you should never blow out a candle on the altar as it is the same as extinguishing your own ‘life-breath’. Is this true and if it is, what would be the preferred method of extinguishing the candle?

Thanks again for your generous information.

Regards,
Trevor

Thank you for the information and for a wonderful source of knowledge.

Would you be able to assisst with more information about Travel Altars? I move about quite a lot and I’ve heard that its possible to have a Travelling Altar that can be set up anywhere. What would be the requirements for this and what sort of offerings would you have on it?

Thanks in advance.
Trevor

Hello Anne
Regarding opening your altar, it is important to keep bowls cleaned and polished. Fill the bowls with water to the brim (NO SPILLING when opening or closing), about the width of one or two grains of rice from the top of bowl. The bowls should be equidistant from each other, and not touching each other, about 1/8″ to 1/4″ apart, depending on size of altar surface. Too close is indicative of friction in the Sangha, too far is indicative of moving away from the Guru.
One should wash hands before and cover nose and mouth when making offerings, so that there is no breath contamination. When making the offerings, visualize the complete celestial Mandala. Most of all it is the devotion and purity of the heart and mind that is important.
Open the altar from Left to Right and the reverse to close. With the recitation of “Ram, Yam, Kam,” the offerings are purified by the three elements, and with “Om Ah, Hung” they are transformed into celestial substance.

Thanks for writing. Take care.
Holly

Likewise, filling the bowl to overflowing, or putting in too little water, was inauspicious, and symbolized some specific faults.

Possibly too far apart symbolized being too far from the dharma, and too little water symbolized miserliness. But, again, I am not sure. If one of the Lamas there has commentary I would appreciate it. THank you.

Anne Klein/Rigzin Drolma