Deities and display cabinets

[moon88]

Dear cecil,
I read somewhere that chinese people consider it inauspicious to display deities like Kwan lin, laughing Buddha, 3 star God etc in closed display self. Is it true. They consider it auspicious to display deities on open self or small altar tables. Is it true. Thanks.

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Anon,
1. In my opinion, I share the same view as what you had mentioned.
2. Based on observations, I do notice that many Chinese do not display deities like Kwan Imm in closed display shelfs.
3. This is like `imprisoning' the deity.
4. In some of the earlier replies, I have also mentioned:-
4.1. Do not place the statue in the bedroom or on the same wall as the toilet.
4.2. I have not mentioned this but some believers or Feng Shui practitioners do not advise that the statute be placed facing the main entrance door.
To these practitioners or believers, it is to them, `disrespectful' to `employ' or `misuse' deities to "guard" your main door.
Well, the above are some of the taboos associated with keeping a deity at home...
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 5/7/00 10:08:00 PM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear cecil,
I read somewhere that chinese
people consider it
inauspicious to display
deities like Kwan lin,
laughing Buddha, 3 star God
etc in closed display self. Is
it true. They consider it
auspicious to display deities
on open self or small altar
tables. Is it true. Thanks.