Can I worship Buddha during my period?

Many people think that worshiping Buddha and chanting scriptures are superstitious. In fact, worshiping Buddha and chanting scriptures are matters of personal belief and we should respect our beliefs. However, there are many things to pay attention to when worshiping Buddha and chanting scriptures. For example, if you are doing something or your body is in your period, you should try not to worship Buddha at this time. You can do it after your period is over, because there are relevant precautions.

Question: Can women not worship Buddha and recite sutras during menstruation?

one. Master Sheng Yen answered this way:

Answer: Female believers at home do not dare to enter the temple to worship during their menstrual period, and they are even afraid to burn incense, recite scriptures, meditate, or chant Buddha's name in front of the Buddha. In fact, this is a taboo of low-level ghosts and gods. Because ghosts and gods are afraid of seeing blood, they easily become angry when seeing blood. Ghosts and gods are bloodthirsty and become greedy when they see blood, but menstrual blood is not fresh blood, so they react as if they are insulted and teased. Therefore, if women who are menstruating enter ancestral halls, temples, and palaces of gods and ghosts, adverse consequences may occur. As for Buddhist samaneris, bhikkhunis, and laywomen, they are all female practitioners who live in monasteries and are accompanied by scriptures, statues, and Dharma objects every day. They have never suffered any disasters due to the so-called conflicts during their menstrual periods.

two. Master Yin Guang answered this way:

Text: Master Yin Guang

Women have menstruation from the age of twelve or thirteen to forty-eight or forty-nine. Some people say that one should not pray or chant during menstruation. This is irrational. If the menstruation is short, it will stop in two or three days; if the menstruation is long, it will stop in six or seven days. Those who practice cultivation must be mindful at all times. How can they give up their practice because of a minor illness that they are born with?

It is said that during menstruation, one can do less worship (it is better to do less, but that does not mean not to do any worship at all). Chanting the Buddha's name and reciting scriptures should still be done as usual. It is advisable to change dirty cloth frequently. If your hands touch dirty cloth, wash them immediately. Never turn the pages of the scriptures or burn incense with dirty hands.

In Buddhism, all dharmas are integrated, while heretics only hold on to narrow principles. Most people in the world only believe what the heretics say, and do not know the true principles of Buddhism. As a result, all fellow believers cannot benefit from the Dharma.

Plain language: Women have menstruation from the age of twelve or thirteen to forty-eight or forty-nine. Some people do not understand this and say that women cannot worship Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, chant mantras or recite scriptures, or recite the Buddha's name during menstruation. This kind of talk is misleading and unreasonable. You should know that women's menstruation lasts two or three days at the shortest and six or seven days at the longest. People who practice Buddhism should keep their mind focused at all times. How can they abandon their practice and interrupt their practice because of such a small problem that is inherently beyond their control?

Now Master Yin Guang tells everyone: During the menstrual period, women can reduce the number of prayers appropriately and avoid doing too much strenuous exercise. Reducing the number of prayers does not mean that they cannot pray. Other practices such as chanting Buddha's name and reciting scriptures can be carried out as usual. You should always keep your body clean. If your hands are dirty, you should wash them immediately. Never use dirty hands to turn the pages of scriptures or light incense.

Menstruation is a force majeure situation, but if your hands are dirty and you are able to wash them, you should wash them before reading the scriptures and lighting incense to show respect. If your hands are dirty, but you casually read scriptures or light incense, it is disrespectful. Before you gain any merit, you will probably have to bear the sin of blasphemy.

In Buddhism, all dharmas are harmonious and integrated. Outsiders do not have a deep understanding and only know stubborn and rigid principles. People in the world often only believe what outsiders say and do not know the true principles of Buddhism, which results in many people being unable to benefit from the Dharma.