The elevated altar represents our own higher levels of spiritual consciousness.  The icon of the Buddha symbolizes the attainment of an enlightened awareness of reality amidst the delusions of worldly phenomena.

The burning candles and incense sticks are a token of our flowing aspiration for spiritual growth and development.  The rising smoke represents our elevated expectations and realizations on the path.

The bell sounds represent an alert eagerness for truth.  Their vibrational tone indicates spiritual activity dedicated to the service of humanity.  The bell striker is the power of our spiritual will to initiate action guided by the spirit of universal oneness.

The beauty of colors also shed their own meanings.  White is for purity or the unconditioned state of consciousness.  Yellow is for wisdom.  Red is for spiritual activity or service.  Blue is for persevering aspiration toward enlightenment.

As we bow, we are connecting our head center with our heart center.  Thus, mind and heart, ideas and ideals shall find unity in their expressions.  From a physiological viewpoint, a deep bow allows our circulatory system to bring more blood into the brain, as blood is the vehicle of consciousness in the physical body.  Moreover, the pineal and pituitary glands become stimulated, producing a biochemistry that prepares the brain as an instrument of higher consciousness even while we live in the world of materiality.