Compare And Contrast

Buddhist Altar


Catholic Altar


“From the millions of Hindu gods our family had chosen its favorite deities; and as a small child, even before I understood what they represented, I sensed and feared the power of the small figures standing on the altar and the pictures on the wall around which we hung the sacred beads. Those unblinking eyes of clay and wood and brass and stone and painted paper seemed to watch me when I was not watching. In some strange way these impassive figures seemed more alive than I was and possessed miraculous powers that held us all in awe. Our offerings and worship acknowledged this fearsome superiority.” Former guru Rabindranath R. Maharaj

“Fray Luis looked instinctively towards the wall where he knew Holy Mary, the Virgin of the Rosary, was hanging. In the semi-darkness of his room he could still picture to himself the fresh, rosy cheeks of her who…had been his only companion for the past seven years. How often he had felt her smile upon him, sensed her spirit speaking to his, thrilled to her presence in the long hours of his loneliness. And yet, she, too, had failed him, mocked him, deceived him.” Life of former monk Dr. Walter Manuel Montaño

“We would move the god figures on the family altar tenderly, unwrapping them from the soft cloth, then covering them again; bathing them, clothing them with great care and reverence.” Rabindranath R. Maharaj

“Worship is expressed by actions such as…affectionately touching it…dressing it in fine clothes…God not only classifies images made like animals or objects of nature as idols, but also images made in the form of a man or a woman. This includes images of Mary, the saints, angels, and even the images of Jesus.” Former priest Dr. Anthony P. Pezzotta


Mother Gauri – protects the people, enlightens the spiritual seeker and removes the fear of rebirth by granting salvation
Blessed Virgin Mary – Protectoress; Our Lady of Good Council; Co-Redemptrix

Lakshmi – Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity
St. Martin of Tours – Parton Saint of shop-keepers and of good luck
Saraswati – goddess of knowledge, music, and all creative arts
St. Michael – patron saint of artists
St. Cecilia – patron saint of musicians and singers
Krishna – embodiment of love and divine joy; protector of cows
St. Perpetua – patron saint of cows