What is the appropriate place to place a Buddhist altar for a pet?

The appropriate place for a typical Buddhist altar

The most common place to place a Buddhist altar is in the "butsuma" (the Buddhist altar room).

However, in recent years, the number of homes with Buddhist altar rooms has been decreasing.

Even when it comes to Buddhist altars for the deceased, an increasing number of households are displaying them freely in any location, such as Western-style rooms, Japanese-style rooms, living rooms, or bedrooms.

If you have a Buddhist altar in a space where you can see your ancestors and greet them in the morning and evening as you go about your daily life, you will feel closer to Buddha and your ancestors.

Choosing a place where you can remember the deceased from time to time will help you to hold a memorial service.

Is it okay to offer memorial services for pets at the Buddhist altar at home?

So, is it okay to hold a memorial service for your pet at your home Buddhist altar?

From a Buddhist perspective, this is not recommended.

However, if you or your family are not concerned about religion or sect, and do not normally have contact with a temple, there are cases where you may choose to mourn your pet at the Buddhist altar at home.

In particular, if the deceased was close to the pet during their lifetime, it is emotionally appropriate to hold memorial services for them at the same Buddhist altar.

Some people may think that this will not only please their pet, but also the deceased.

If you have held a memorial service for your pet at your home Buddhist altar but are worried about whether it is okay, we recommend that you ask directly at the temple you attend.

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What is the best place to place a pet altar?

The appropriate location for placing a Buddhist altar for your pet is basically the same as for placing a regular Buddhist altar.

Specifically, there are four points:

1. The room where the pet was always
2. A place where families can always feel the presence of their deceased pets
3. living
4. bedroom

Places where a person spent a long time during their lifetime are considered to be places that they have a connection to even after they pass away.

Therefore, in the case of pets, the most appropriate place to place a Buddhist altar is "where the pet was always present," or "where the family can always feel the presence of the deceased pet."

Of course, the living room or bedroom are also desirable as they are places where you can remember your pet from time to time.

Things to consider when choosing a place to place your pet altar

However, there are some things you need to be careful about when choosing a location for your pet altar.

In many cases, pet altars are made of wood, so they are prone to deterioration depending on where they are placed and how they are cared for.

To ensure long-term use, cleanliness, and comfort, you should pay attention to the following points.

• Avoid direct sunlight as it may cause the surface to fade.
• To prevent the wood from cracking or shrinking due to drying, keep it out of the direct reach of air conditioners.
• If the humidity is extremely high, the surface may become flaky or moldy, so choose a well-ventilated location.

Some people may find that taking the above points into consideration limits their options for where to place it.

Alternatively, some people may be worried that the Buddhist altar will stand out and not match the style of the room.

However, recently there are also mini Buddhist altars and Buddhist altars integrated with photo frames that blend in easily with the interior decor.

With a compact design that can be placed in a convenient location, such as a shelf in the living room or beside the bed, you're sure to find something you like, regardless of your living environment.

Keep your precious family close to you without being bound by tradition

Whether it's a person or a pet, a member of the family remains important even after they've passed away.

The way pets are mourned is not influenced by Buddhist customs and is basically up to you.

Please choose an environment where your Buddhist altar will last a long time and place it in a place where it will bring back memories, so that you can offer it proper respects.