Altars of Thanks

While receiving a manicure, Fay describes her law school graduation to her Vietnamese operator, Mimi. Disappointed, Mimi asks, “Why didn’t you tell me before? I would buy a duck for Buddha.”

What does she mean?

Mimi explained that when good things happen, Buddhists make food offerings to Buddha. She believed that Buddha liked Peking duck and that it was still not too late to purchase one and have it cut into small pieces to place on her home altar in honor of Fay’s graduation.

Buddhists frequently have home altars where they request blessings and express gratitude. They may make offerings of food, incense, candles, sometimes flowers to representations of Buddha.

Tibetan Buddhist altars contain images of the Dalai Lama and may display the Tibetan flag as well as their eight auspicious symbols. Caribbean people use home altars, too. Sometimes they combine Catholic symbols with those from African-based religions.

In the film “The Buena Vista Social Club,” Cuban singer song-writer Ibrahim Ferrer shows a living room shelf turned into an altar dedicated to his patron saint, St. Lazarus. Here he places offerings of rum, honey, perfume and flowers in thanks for his success.