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| Almsgiving Day, 2025 |
Almsgiving 2025 went well,
Pictured above, is the reliquary containing a relic, supposedly a tiny bone fragment of the Buddha on the taller stand between the book case and the sofa. The reliquary is brought from the temple, by the monks, and it's presence transforms the house into a temporary temple and a sacred or holy place.
The shorter table in front of the reliquary contains a tray with food offerings to the Buddha, a vase of flowers from the garden, a candle, and incense.
On the coffee table in front of the monks are two plates with salad and glasses of water. The items covered with paper napkins are plates and bowls of the almsgiving food that is offered to the entire Community of Monks, not just the two monks who are physically present at the almsgiving. Often, this food is sent back to the temple with the monks to be given to any needy person or for the monks to have on the following day if there is no almsgiving scheduled.
I was up at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and started on my almsgiving preparations, picking the flowers and tangerines from the garden, peeling and cutting the pineapple, taking out the cooked food from the fridge, etc. Friend $ came over at 8:00 a.m. and started preparing the salads and plates of fruit. Daughter joined us a short time later, checking her almsgiving menu and making sure that the warmed up food is served into the containers being prepared for offering to the Buddha and to the Community of Monks.
We completed everything by 10:30 a.m. and while we waited or the monks to arrive, I went over my list showing the order of serving to friend R. Once the monks arrived, we began the ceremony offering the prepared food to the Buddha and the Community of Monks and reciting the stanzas where we undertake to observe the five precepts that guide lay Buddhists in their daily life.
After that, the monks were served their meal. On this visit, they did not bring their begging bowls and used the plates we had set out for them. I took the above picture with their permission. They know that I have a blog and that I post about my almsgivings.
After lunch, they gave a short sermon, chanted blessings, we transferred some of the merits acquired to family and loved ones who have departed, including Dancer (the monks remembered him especially), and tied blessed thread around our wrists, using the colored thread we had donated, earlier. Then, we handed out the donations we had set aside to give to the monks and the ceremony ended.
After the monks left, we had our own meal and we gave friend R the Christmas gifts we had got for her. She had mentioned wanting to buy two specific kitchen appliances and daughter and I bought them for her. She was very pleased with her gifts. Afterwards, we took her home.
Daughter took a nap after we got home and I put away the leftover food, washed the dishes, did two loads of laundry, and gave neighbor S a plate of almsgiving food. In return she gave me some blinchick (stuffed crepes) that they had made. Daughter and I shared that for our dinner.
After daughter woke up from her nap, I took a nap. I was very tired and my spine was hurting from being on my feet for so long. I put away the laundry after I woke up from my nap.
On Saturday, I was grateful for:
- All the help from friend R and daughter
- The almsgiving went well without a hitch
- We had a pleasant, sunny day for the almsgiving
- The almsgiving went well without a hitch
- We had a pleasant, sunny day for the almsgiving
- R was pleased with her Christmas gifts
- Exchanging plates of food with neighbor S
Saturday's joyful activity was holding the almsgiving.
On Sunday, daughter is hosting a pancakes breakfast for her friends. One friend has already called and made her excuses as she is not feeling well. I am not required to help with cooking the breakfast so I can sleep in or just relax.
How is your weekend coming along?
It sounds like your almsgiving went according to plan and I know that pleases you.
ReplyDeleteI was moved when you spoke of how merits were transferred to Dancer (not sure if my phrasing is correct ) And that the monks specifically remembered Dancer.
Friend R was a big help this year. You've mentioned she's older so I know her efforts were especially appreciated. It sounds like your Christmas gifts for her were very thoughtful.
Congratulations on another successful Almsgiving.
Now on to celebration #2. ;)
Thank you, Debra. Yes, the almsgiving went according to plan and I was very happy. You have the correct phrasing about transferring merits. We acquire merits (good karma) by performing the almsgiving and we "share" that good karma with our departed family and loved ones by transferring the merits to them. We do so with the intention of improving their new lives and the monks will make a special mention of the immediate family members and loved ones with whom we especially intend to share the merits - my parents, daughter's grandparents, and, while I didn't say anything about Dancer, the monks named him, too.
DeleteThe pancake breakfast is in process as I type this. I have retreated to my bedroom for the duration, but, I can hear them and I think that the sound of their laughter blesses the house just as much as yesterday's chanting did.
Sounds like a beautiful ceremony. How nice you were able todo this. Thanks for sharing the information. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandy. It was a blessing that I could hold an almsgiving this year. Happy Holidays to you, too, and your family and loved ones.
DeleteSounds like a very full day with a lot of good feelings you can carry with you for days to come.
ReplyDeleteThank you, hannah jane. Yes, I had a couple of very full days, but, all for a good cause and the good feelings will last for a long time. :)
DeleteI love the photo of the almsgiving and even the reliquary transforming your home into a sacred place. That was lovely that the monks even remembered Dancer in their prayers.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you were happy today that you didn't have to get up early, while your daughter took care of her guests for the breakfast!
Thank you, Bushlady. One of the reasons why I prefer to hold my almsgivings at home is the fact that it transforms my house into a sacred space for the duration. And, I believe that the walls and ceiling absorb the sound vibrations from the chanting, as well.
DeleteThe funny thing is, I woke up early on Sunday, even before daughter woke up! I tried to go back to sleep, but, I couldn't, so, I got up, had a cup of tea, etc. and did some blog reading, etc. :)
The almsgiving is all very interesting. It sounds like a lovely and peaceful event, although given all that you do, exhausting! I'm sure your friend and daughter also were tired. But what an honor for you and them to be able to do this for the monks. You are truly Bless! I hope you've gotten more rest and your back is feeling better. It sounds like your daughter and her friends had a fun breakfast.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie. I feel blessed to be able to hold the almsgiving with the help of my daughter and my friend. I think the house got blessed, too. Yes, it was very tiring, but, worth it (in my opinion).
DeleteI took a long nap today, too, and my back feels much better.
Daughter and friends had a fun breakfast. One friend lives out of state and they don't see each other except at this annual holiday get together.
I always love to hear about your almsgivings, and I'm glad everything went smoothly. It was so lovely of them to include Dancer in their blessings. X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules. Yes, I didn't expect them to include Dancer in their blessings, but, was very touched that they did.
DeleteThanks for sharing the details of your almsgiving. They are not part of my culture, and I enjoy learning about them. What is the significance of the blessed thread tied around your wrists? (Actually, when I first read it, I thought it said the thread was tied around your waists. Wrists makes more sense.)
ReplyDeleteThe blessed thread is a reminder of the blessings received and of the protection brought by those blessings. Somewhat similar to "tie a string around your finger to remind you of something"
DeleteThere is also a word play involved which gets lost in the translation - the Sanskrit word for the Buddhist scripture is Sutra (or Sutta in Pali) and one of the definitions for Sutra is thread (or cord, or line - something that connects, or ties together, or unites). When the blessings are chanted, the senior monk unwinds a spool of blessed thread which is passed around among those who are gathered and we hold the thread while the blessings are chanted. The blessed thread connects us all and we are united. The thread absorbs the vibrations of the blessings being chanted and that's why it is called blessed thread.
I've seen so called "blessed thread bracelets" for sale online, but, I am not persuaded that one can buy blessings.
I'm so glad everything went well. I really do enjoy reading about your almsgiving celebrations. I'm so glad you share them with us. Hope you managed to get some rest afterwards.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. I am glad you enjoy reading about it. I did get a little rest afterwards, but, I think I overdid things a little bit, because I woke up with a headache, today.
DeleteI'm late commenting, but I'm glad everything went well for you. I am really interested to read about the ceremony, and all that it means to you. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNo worries about commenting late, FD; these are busy days for you. :) Thank you for being interested in reading about my religion. It's a pleasure to share. :)
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