Question: What should I do before entering my new apartment for the first time? Do I need to choose a day?
Answer: No special dates are needed. When entering a ‘new’ house for the first time, the steps are similar to that of entering a hotel room…
It is not uncommon that there might be haunted hotel rooms, due to the high transitional volume of both seen and unseen beings, with some of the seen (human) beings becoming unseen ones while in the room, if they died there, who are still attached. Wandering spirits from elsewhere might come in to stay too, who might see themselves as the ‘owners’ of the room, with us being the intruders. (‘New’ houses might be preoccupied by wandering spirits too.)
As such, it makes good sense to knock on the door before one’s first entry, saying ‘Āmítuófó’ (i.e. the name of Amitābha Buddha) respectfully, as a way of expressing good will, and to let known of one’s entry. This is basic courtesy, just as we would prefer others to let their presence be known before entering our rooms. With less a sense of rudeness or intrusion, there should be less or no disturbance (if haunted). It is also for protection.
Next, is to use blessed water from Buddhist temples, which come from completed Dharma ceremonies (法会) to sprinkle when walking around every part of the house, while chanting Āmítuófó’s name calmly and clearly. (Use ‘Āmítuófó’ track at purelanders.com/mp3 as a guide) There must be sincere verbal chanting, to be more easily heard, in case there are unseen beings who might be around. This process itself is blessing of the whole house. (If blessed water is not available, it is alright to take clean water and sprinkle it while doing chanting of Āmítuófó’s name too. At the end, dedicate the meritorious virtues to all beings.
