The Chiden is responsible for the maintenance of the altar, including the main altar, the kitchen altar, the altar in the Dokusan room, etc. This includes maintaining the candles, matches, and watering flowers as necessary.

In the following, instructions are given when incense is being used. If incense is not being used, the Priest will offer flower petals. In that case, the Chiden is responsible for maintaining a supply of flower petals at the altar.

Chiden activities can be done during Work Practice.

• Take the following from the altar or storage to the Chiden work area:
  • incense bowl
  • supplies for charcoal and powdered incense
  •  big candle
  • votive candles if low
  • remove any trash from altar
  • empty used match cup
  • remove odd lengths of stick incense from container
• Incense Bowl
  • extinguish stick incense
  • spoon out stubs and lumps into strainer
  • rub in strainer with spoon
  • discard incense stubs into Incense Stub Container
  • pour filtered ash back into bowl
  • tap sides and knock on table to set flat
  • dust edges of bowl with rag or paper towel
• Powdered Incense and Charcoal
  • refill chip incense in the container on the Altar and tap flat
  • provide a cup with water in the Chiden work area for melted candle wax and used matches
  • at least 5 minutes before Service, start heating a rectangle of charcoal over a votive candle flame. Hold the charcoal with tweezers, not too close as the tweezers can get hot. Be careful not to touch the heated charcoal. If necessary, pour off votive candle wax into the cup with water. The charcoal is ready when white ash forms on the surface, and especially when the charcoal glows red in places.
  • At Prepare for Service, place hot charcoal into sea shell and carry to the Altar
  • place charcoal in the incense bowl on the Altar
  • fires have happened from placing hot charcoal onto plastic or wood, and ceramic cracks
• Big Candle
  • warm candle top with votive candle flame
  • use knife to trim candle top flat
  • smooth warm trimmed candle with a rag or paper towel
• Votive Candles
  • chip out the old wax and clean the glass before adding new votive candles to a container
• Replenish supplies on all altars
  • matches
  • charcoal
  • stick incense
• Meticulously align all items on altar, properly centered and evenly spaced
• Address all altars in Dokusan room, kitchen, etc
• Carefully dust off Buddha statues
• Shake out altar cloths as necessary
• During retreats the Main Altar will need attention several times per day
• If any supplies need to be ordered, notify the Ino