Morning puja

The Watercooler
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I was wondering if others here perform a morning puja or at least set aside some time to reflect and meditate each morning and if so what routine do you follow and why??

For the past few months I’ve been exploring the benefits of rising before dawn making offerings of fresh water, incense and the lighting of candles to the Buddha rupas in my shrine . I then follow this with some morning chanting using the Amaravarti podcast and the corresponding chanting book. I’ll then do some sitting meditate before finishing up by reading some Buddhist literature.

I do this to give my mind a little space before the crazy beautiful chaos that comes with a modern family with kids each day can bring. I find focusing my mind on the Buddha while preparing the offerings and chanting helps set the tone of the meditation by acknowledging with gratitude the path he discovered to complete liberation.

I look forward to hearing about others experiences

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@Pete, what a lovely post :grinning:
I really like starting the day with some meditation and reflections, rather than jumping straight into the distractions and entanglements of the day. In particular I find it very refreshing and sustaining to ‘set the perspective’ for the day. I don’t know the appropriate language for this, but my focus is mainly on achieving meditative awareness of impermanence, not self, and of observant non-attachment. That way, as things arise during the day, it is easier to withdraw back to the awareness, rather than to be sucked into habitual reactivity to stimulus.

Metta M

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My daily routine is pretty much similar to Pete’s. I also light a candle in front of the Buddha statue, observe the precepts, recite the verse extolling the virtues of the triple gem and recite the Metta Sutta. Then I meditate for about an hour mostly contemplating on the five aggregates and extending loving kindness in all directions. This helps keep my focus constantly on the true nature of what I call myself.
With Metta

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Inspiring reading, this is indeed :D.

I started getting up before everyone at home may be 6 month ago. That was my way to find time and peace, whilst everyone else is fast asleep :smiley: .

I am reading puja from a book I found in pali + french to get started but I read the translations and additional texts mainly from the Bhavana vandana book.

I tend not to do any mediation in the morning, but may be it’s just because I’m a slow reader :wink: - by the time I have finished my reading I’ve eaten up most of the 60~75 minutes I got myself!

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5:30 every morning, chanting pali suttas for 20-25 min, in a squatting posture (in case I ordain in a tradition where that’s required, my muscles will be loose and ready). Switch from squatting to kneeling posture if necessary part way through.

after chanting:

Then I have a list of about 9-12 arhants and inspiring teachers such as Ajahn Mun, Ajahn Lee, Thanissaro, I bow to a visualization of them in my mind’s eye 3 times to each. This is great for building saddha-indriya, and at the same time mind is being purified, you work out your lower back doing basically inverse sit ups for each bow. After my feet and legs are nice and warmed up, I might switch from kneeling bows to one cycle of sun salution for each remaining arahant on my hit list.

then I take precepts .

First,
I visualize the buddha standing in front of me, sariputta on his right side, moggallana on his left. Behind them, I visualize the monastic sangha, a sea of virtuous beings from the time of buddha till today standing there.

Then I reflect on the past 24 hours, on what I did well, what I didn’t do well, what I could have done better. The Buddha or Moggallana then gives me a little pep talk or reprimand, whatever I need, and then I commence to visualize the Buddha administering the precepts.

The stronger samadhi is, the more inspiring this visualization is, the more seriously I treat the contract, compared to if I were to just read the 8 precepts and agree to follow them (without buddha and sangha visualization).

Then I do physical exercises for at least 15 minutes, specially designed exercises to really increase circulation (of blood, qi, etc) in the major joints like knees, hips, ankles, wrists, elbows, shoulders, simultaneously. I share details of this another time, this is how I healed knee problems more quickly.

Before the 5:30am chanting, I do walking and sitting meditation. After the 15+ min. exercise after the chant, I do another sit. then breakast…

Unless something unusual happens, this part of my daily routine is quite regular.

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Morning puja? At some point while getting ready in the morning I remember to bow three times toward my little shrine. If I can be noisy I use my chime. Next, I gently chide myself for slacking in the formal practice arena, but then comfort myself with the knowledge that I’ll spend the rest of the day in-formally practicing. :slightly_smiling_face:

Oops! I should add that I try to listen to the Chinese Morning Chanting Service on Bodhi Monastery’s website. Frequently this occurs in my car.

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Hey friend do you have any monks or nuns you could make offerings to?

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Well said friend.

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Very good. Wow.

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I once read ajahn mun’s biography. An Arahat who gets furious and scares other monks with mind reading? I don’t think ajahn mun was an Arahat friend. Ajahn Chah perhaps. (I think) The way to know if someone is nibbanaing* is to live with them or encompass their mind. Or you could be stupid and test them to see if they have any fear of death. Please never do that. Please take no offence to my feedback

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I like that you take care of your body, great routine.

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I meditate when I can. I don’t have a morning routine, (except taking painkillers) and drinking instant coffee with milk. I love ajahn brahmali and venerable mudito. My master is ajahn brahm.