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Teachings on Correct Altar Maintenance
by Lama Gape

Altars, generally, have 3 levels or shelves, one higher than another, but, in the home environment as little as one level is ok.  Sometimes, up to seven levels are used, for instance during a Drupchen. On the top shelf is kept representations of the Buddha's Body, Speech, and Mind. The 'Body' is usually represented by a statute of the Buddha, a picture of the Buddha or a thanka is just as good. The 'Speech' is often represented by a text of a sutra or mantra. The 'Mind' is represented by a stupa. A picture of a stupa will also work. Here, also on the top shelf, would be kept a representation of one's root Lama (statue/picture), for instance Garchen Rinpoche. The top shelf should also have a representation of the  deity being used in the present sadhana; for instance, at Gar Drolma Choling, a representation of Green Tara or whichever deity practice is currently underway. Others deity images are fine, but not necessary. Female representations should be set to the Buddha's left and male representations to the Buddha's right.

On the middle shelf are kept those representations not presently in use, one's Lamas that are not one's root Lama, and tormas for various deities.  On each side of the shelf, a pair of matching Bumpas (sp). One for empowerments and one for cleansing. These are not necessary on home altars.

On the bottom is kept the offerings comprising 7 bowls, they are placed starting to the right of the Buddha: water (for washing), water (for drinking), flowers (usually artificial), incense (for burning), lamp, saffron water (for perfuming), and food. If eight bowls are used, music is added after food.  Already having a lamp in the offerings, two more can be added, one on each side of the alter on the bottom level. Live or cut flowers, also, can be offered: two vases, one on each side of the alter, bottom level. Incense in a small burner can be placed on the alter behind the offerings, but (if only one level) in front of the representations. Incense in a large, Tibetan style, burner is usually placed in front of the alter close to the floor.

Why is it beneficial to make offerings?
We make offerings in order to purify our own obscurations, to purify our sel clinging.  The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas do not actually eat the offerings and they do not want the offerings for themselves, however they are exceedingly happy when we make offerings because we are sentient beings suffering in Samsara and when we make offerings we are accumulating merit and purifying our own obsurations and because of their great compassion all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas delight in this. However, there are some deities who do actually enjoy offerings such as protectors.  So when we make offerings to Dharma protectors though it may only be some tea or a torma we multiply these offerings with mantras and satisfy the Dharma protectors.