What is blessing?
Blessing, also known as "opening the eyes," is commonly used for statues of deities or religious artworks. It refers to a religious ceremony where divine spirits are invited to enter the statue or artwork through spiritual power. Below are some specific notes about the blessing process:
1. In Buddhism, only the images of the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and other principal deities are considered to be blessed. Other items are not referred to as being blessed but are instead "blessed" or "empowered." Master Miaoxiang of Dabei Temple said, "Buddhism does not have the concept of blessing. Many temples have turned blessing into a way to make money, which goes against the essence of Buddhist teachings. It's enough to simply enshrine the statues of Buddhas."
2. The location for a Buddhist blessing ceremony should be a famous Buddhist site, and the monks participating in the ceremony should be fully ordained with proper ordination certificates. The main monk leading the ceremony should be one with high cultivation and should be the abbot of the temple.
3. Buddhist blessings follow strict "Blessing Rituals," and the versions of these rituals vary depending on the tradition — Han, Tibetan, Southern, and the lineage of the teaching.
4. Before the blessing, a purification ceremony is usually held. This ceremony can be conducted either before or after the blessing ceremony, or even the day before the blessing. During the blessing, several sutras (mantras) are recited, depending on the duration and scale of the blessing.
1. In Buddhism, only the images of the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and other principal deities are considered to be blessed. Other items are not referred to as being blessed but are instead "blessed" or "empowered." Master Miaoxiang of Dabei Temple said, "Buddhism does not have the concept of blessing. Many temples have turned blessing into a way to make money, which goes against the essence of Buddhist teachings. It's enough to simply enshrine the statues of Buddhas."
2. The location for a Buddhist blessing ceremony should be a famous Buddhist site, and the monks participating in the ceremony should be fully ordained with proper ordination certificates. The main monk leading the ceremony should be one with high cultivation and should be the abbot of the temple.
3. Buddhist blessings follow strict "Blessing Rituals," and the versions of these rituals vary depending on the tradition — Han, Tibetan, Southern, and the lineage of the teaching.
4. Before the blessing, a purification ceremony is usually held. This ceremony can be conducted either before or after the blessing ceremony, or even the day before the blessing. During the blessing, several sutras (mantras) are recited, depending on the duration and scale of the blessing.
How to bless a Pi Xiu at home?
First, use water to bless
It is recommended that you start the blessing process on the second day when the Pi Xiu comes into your home, because an unblessed Pi Xiu placed in the house can be dangerous. First, prepare two types of water: one is Ba Gua well water, which refers to a well whose shape looks like a Ba Gua; the other is pure rainwater. Then prepare a container that doesn't leak or a basin large enough to hold the Pi Xiu. Mix the Ba Gua well water and the rainwater in equal parts and place them in the container where the Pi Xiu will be kept. Let the Pi Xiu soak in this mixture for seven days, and it must be placed in a shaded and cool place. After soaking for seven days, take out the Pi Xiu, dry it, and then touch its eyes with tea oil. Remember, during this time, you must face the Pi Xiu directly, which indicates that the blessing ritual has been successfully completed, and the Pi Xiu now recognizes you as its owner.
Second, natural blessing
After bringing the Pi Xiu home, place it on the balcony of your house so it can be exposed to sunlight during the day and moonlight at night. Keep it there for 49 consecutive days, and make sure the balcony door remains open during this time. This method allows the Pi Xiu to absorb the light of the sun and moon, removing its fierce nature. The light of the sun and moon that fills your balcony is actually a gift from heaven, and by offering it to the Pi Xiu, it will gradually become part of your family, protecting your home and attracting wealth for you.
It is recommended that you start the blessing process on the second day when the Pi Xiu comes into your home, because an unblessed Pi Xiu placed in the house can be dangerous. First, prepare two types of water: one is Ba Gua well water, which refers to a well whose shape looks like a Ba Gua; the other is pure rainwater. Then prepare a container that doesn't leak or a basin large enough to hold the Pi Xiu. Mix the Ba Gua well water and the rainwater in equal parts and place them in the container where the Pi Xiu will be kept. Let the Pi Xiu soak in this mixture for seven days, and it must be placed in a shaded and cool place. After soaking for seven days, take out the Pi Xiu, dry it, and then touch its eyes with tea oil. Remember, during this time, you must face the Pi Xiu directly, which indicates that the blessing ritual has been successfully completed, and the Pi Xiu now recognizes you as its owner.
Second, natural blessing
After bringing the Pi Xiu home, place it on the balcony of your house so it can be exposed to sunlight during the day and moonlight at night. Keep it there for 49 consecutive days, and make sure the balcony door remains open during this time. This method allows the Pi Xiu to absorb the light of the sun and moon, removing its fierce nature. The light of the sun and moon that fills your balcony is actually a gift from heaven, and by offering it to the Pi Xiu, it will gradually become part of your family, protecting your home and attracting wealth for you.
