Pieces of Life, Reflections of Aspiration
by Sherri Ento MacClelland

I think an altar is a very important part of our practice. Although I am not as attentive to my altar as I believe I should be, it is always the first thing I turn to when something horrible has happened or when I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

I have chosen Kwan Yin as my central aspect because, without a doubt, one of my deepest desires is to attain true compassion. Behind her is a fan from Maezumi Roshi's memorial service and two other fans that were gifted to me. On the left is a photo of Maezumi Roshi, from whose lips I heard my first turning words, and behind him is Yasutani Roshi, one of his teachers.

Near Maezumi Roshi is a small candle that was given to me by one of his daughters, and also a piece of rock from Mountain Center. On the right side, behind a picture of Nyogen Roshi, is an old art piece of his mother’s which was placed in my curio cabinet when it was part of the furniture in the living room of our Zen Center.

Since I moved to the apartments behind the sangha house, I have not been able to part with the piece, especially since I’ve also included a small vase that belonged to my mother. It seems wonderfully right to have mothers represented on my altar.

Although my altar is not a traditional Japanese altar, it contains pieces of me and represents aspirations I hope to fulfill, which could never happen without my teacher, his teacher and our mothers.