On the altar, a statue or thangka represents the Three Jewels. A scripture, a stupa or a reliquary object may also be placed on the altar. A standard set of offerings represented by offering bowls is set in the space in front of these items. Occasionally, torma ritual cake or other offerings of food may also be placed there.
By imagining offerings as being pure and faultless, we may create an imprint for purifying our minds of obstruction and defilement. It is for this reason that offerings be imagined as pure and beautiful as possible, the best of everything from the past, present and future and all the ten directions. The offerings are a basis for acquiring merit and should be clean, made of the best substances, attractive and acquired through honest means. When making offerings we should begin by meditating on the wisdom of great bliss and emptiness, imagining that it has taken the form of the offering. We should think of the offering as empty of intrinsic existence. This will help to purify the offering of its ordinary aspects and to purify our minds. We should not have thoughts of immediate benefit in relation to ourselves in this lifetime. Also, we should not have doubts about the quality of our offering or whether it pleases the exalted being to whom we make the offerings. Instead, we should think that the deity rejoices at the offering and generates great bliss in partaking of it.
OFFERINGS
Meaning and Purpose
The basis for offering is the practice of generosity. Generosity helps us to be less self-cherishing and thereby more loving to others. In the Buddhist tradition one makes offerings to the Three Jewels which are the Buddha, Dharma, the Sangha and the Lama that embodies all three. Offerings are a way of honoring the mind of Enlightenment and the potential within all of us to awaken to our true nature. Also one makes offerings with joy and sincere appreciation for the countless blessings we have been given by our teachers who by their supreme generosity have given us the Path and a way to end our suffering. The practice of offering is another way to acknowledge the boundless love and infinite compassion shown to us by all those who have attained Enlightenment solely for the benefit of sentient beings.
On a deeper level, the practice of offering can be done mentally, where one offers everything one sees and experiences such as the beauty of fresh flowers, the wonderful scents in our world like freshly baked bread, the comfort we feel from being warm when it’s cold outside, the taste of delicious food, the happiness we feel when we see a friend we haven’t seen in a while. As we walk through a mall, we can even offer everything we see and experience; all the beautiful colors and the amazing array of gadgets, clothes, furniture, etc. When one is practicing generosity in this way, it is also viewed as a way of renouncing our attachment to these worldly things that are impermanent anyway and only give us temporary happiness. This method of practice if cultivated, becomes a potent way of accumulating merit and virtue that can then be offered for the benefit of sentient beings.
What to Offer
Usually one offers that very best that can be obtained or that one has the means to offer. If the offering is given sincerely from the heart, then whatever is given becomes a treasure. Flowers, light, incense, perfume or sweet sent, pure water, conch shell (music), food are the traditional offerings. In addition, crystals, jewelry, malas and money would be suitable offerings.
How To Make Offerings
When entering the Shrine room three prostrations are made to the altar. Then one would generate the Bodhichitta thought, which is the sincere wish or motivation to be of benefit to sentient beings by working to achieve enlightenment. The offering is made on the lowest level of the altar or could be placed at the base or foot of the altar. In the case of offering a mala, the mala should be placed on the foot of the image of the Buddha but never around the neck. If offering a BLESSED mala, the mala once it has been offered can never again be used for personal use. The practice of offering is considered to be a virtuous act, it is important to remember to dedicate the merit and offer it as well for the benefit of all sentient beings.
What Not To Offer
It is best not to offer anything sour or bitter line lemons or limes. Also one would not offer an image of the Buddha such as a statue or a photograph or the Buddha.
When to Make an Offering
Offerings can be made an anytime on wishes, however, on the Tibetan lunar calendar there are auspicious days that are traditionally observed when merit is increased by making offerings. For example, the 10th Day or Guru Rinpoche Day, the 25th Day or Dakini Day, 10 Million Days (there are four during the year) which mark different events in the life of Shakyamuni Buddha, and Losar the Tibetan New Year.
For more Buddhist resources click on this link to:
Envisionation
No comments:
Post a Comment