Buddhist Relics, Rituals, & Offerings

[Loz]

Is it acceptable to give service to an alter even if it is missing some of the elements? For example I do not think I will have the room to offer 7 bowls of water in praise, I will only have the room to offer one (I live with very limted space and the alter will have to go in my bedroom when I get my new apartment).

Also as the water is supposed to be given to plants rather than thrown away would it be acceptable to instead give it to my birds to drink and bathe if I do not have any plants? I feel this would be blessing them rather than simply taking the water away and having the blessing wasted.

[Caz]

Is it acceptable to give service to an alter even if it is missing some of the elements? For example I do not think I will have the room to offer 7 bowls of water in praise, I will only have the room to offer one (I live with very limted space and the alter will have to go in my bedroom when I get my new apartment).

Also as the water is supposed to be given to plants rather than thrown away would it be acceptable to instead give it to my birds to drink and bathe if I do not have any plants? I feel this would be blessing them rather than simply taking the water away and having the blessing wasted.

Good Idea ! The offerings are symbolic but the real side of benifit comes from the mind in which you give them with. 

[catmoon]

Offering practices are not written in stone. The key to making a "good" offering is in the intention, and clearly since you are thinking of benefitting the birds, you intention is on track.

Some people have seven bowls, some have one, some have six, some use dozens. Who would want to walk into that situation and declare one "right" and all the others wrong?

All the same, there are formal ways and informal ways. So if you want to do a formal offering, then you have to look up the forms. On the informal side, there is great scope for creativity and it is amazing how some people make the most wonderful offerings from practically nothing, simply because their intention to benefit others is so strong.

[lumbinitour]

Some scholars have also explained that while offering water bowls, caution and discipline is very important. As the distances between bowls signifies your distance with the teacher. If the bowls are kept too close or too far, both actions will have complications being too close or too far from your teacher.
But in many of the monasteries, we see that these disciplines are not paid attention to. So what is true ?   

[Lobster]

real side of benefit comes from the mind in which you give them with

Dave Blane Buddhism and juggling may inspire us
but the magic of a shrine comes from us and any passing Buddha
nectar.

If you have room for only one candle, then use that.
No room for a candle, then sit and visualize one. 

If you develop purity of Mind and single pointed devotion
miracles will begin to manifest. They really are very ordinary
and on the whole to be kept in a safe place 

[Bodhisatta2012]

An interesting discussion regarding the value of "relics".

http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=11273&start=0

[Blue Garuda]

A while ago I attended the travelling Maitreya relics exhibition.

I can't say that I was particularly impressed with the gallstones or robe-cloth of various important Buddhist figures.

I had expected to see only Tibetan Buddhist folk.  However, I was hugely impressed by the spread of Buddhists of all varieties enjoying the occason together.

In fact,blessings were being given by a Theravadan Bhikkhu.

The Maitreya project now looks to be dodgy, but the experinece I had was very heartwarming.