What does the shrine mean?

A shrine, or a sacred coffin or shrine, is the main seat in a temple where statues or paintings are placed.

Shrine is usually located in the ancestral hall of a temple, family or cemetery. It is a small building room where the souls of gods or ancestors are placed, and it is one of the most important architectural elements in temples, families or cemeteries.

Shrine is usually made of wood, metal or stone, with different sizes and shapes. According to different religious beliefs and cultural traditions, the style and decoration of the shrine will be different. In Buddhism, shrines are usually placed in the Buddhist halls of temples to worship Buddha statues or bodhisattvas. In Taoism, shrines are placed in Taoist temples or ancestral halls to worship immortals or ancestors.

Idols, portraits or other symbols of gods or ancestors are usually placed in shrines. These statues or portraits are usually made of copper, iron, wood or mud, and their images are different and lifelike. While placing statues of gods or ancestors, there will also be some items related to gods or ancestors in the shrine, such as offerings, incense sticks, flowers and so on.

In religious ceremonies, believers usually worship God, burn incense, pray, chant scriptures and chant incantations in front of shrines. These ceremonies are designed to pay tribute to the gods or ancestors and pray for blessing. At the same time, the shrine is also an important place for believers to gather and communicate. In the family, the shrine is also an important place for family members to carry out sacrificial activities and inherit family culture.

Precautions for placing shrines:

1. Location choice: The shrine should be placed in a quiet, solemn, well-lit place where people can pay homage. In the family, it is usually placed in the living room or a special room dedicated to the gods. In temples, shrines are placed in Buddhist temples or main halls.

2. Orientation: The direction of the shrine is also very important. Usually the shrine faces the door or window, symbolizing that the gods guard the family or temple. In families, shrines generally face the gate or living room, while in temples, they generally face the main hall or main passage.

3. Height setting: The height of the shrine should be moderate, neither too high nor too low. Usually, the height of the shrine will be above people's waist, which is convenient for people to pay homage.

4. Cleaning and maintenance: It is very important to keep the shrine clean and tidy. Believers should regularly wipe the shrine and clean up the surrounding debris and dust. At the same time, we should also pay attention to the replacement of offerings and incense sticks in the shrine to keep the statues comfortable and tidy.

5. Respect for God: When visiting a shrine, people should respect God and keep a quiet and respectful attitude. Don't make noise, laugh or play in front of the shrine, and don't make indecent or disrespectful actions.

6. Reasonable layout: In the family, the layout of the shrine should be coordinated with the overall home style and should not be too abrupt or messy. In temples, the layout of shrines should follow the corresponding religious regulations and traditional customs.