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Offering (Buddhism)

January 01, 1970

In Buddhism, symbolic offerings are made to the Triple Gem, giving rise to contemplative gratitude and inspiration.[1] Typical material offerings involve simple objects such as a lit candle or oil lamp,[2] burning incense,[3] flowers,[4] food, fruit, water or drinks.[5]

Worshippers making offerings of incense, flowers and candles to a chedi at Wat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai, Thailand
An offering at Chaitya Bhoomi.

Within the traditional Buddhist framework of karma and rebirth, offerings lead to the accumulation of merit, which leads to:

These offerings often act as preparation for meditation.[7]

In some traditions, two different types of offerings are identified:

  • material or hospitality offerings (Pali: amisa-puja[8] or sakkara-puja[9])[10]
  • practice offerings (Pali: patipatti-puja[11])

Material offering edit

Material offerings are considered external offerings of "words and deeds."[8] Material offerings nurture generosity (Pali:dāna) and virtue (Pali: sīla).[12] The act further honors the Triple Gem (the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha), deepening one's commitment to the Buddha's path.

Material offerings might be imbued with the following symbology:

  • the lighting of a candle or an oil lamp represents the light of wisdom illuminating the darkness of ignorance.
  • the burning of incense represents the fragrant scent of morality.
  • flowers represents the aspiration to achieve the body of the Buddha with the thirty-two marks of the Buddha as well as the teaching of impermanence. Alternately, a Zen verse expresses the desire for the mind's "flowers" to "bloom in the springtime of enlightenment."[13]
  • food, fruit, water, drinks represents the nectar of Dharma and the wish to achieve it.

Traditional chants in Pali, when offering lit candles (padīpa pūjā) and incense (sugandha pūjā) to an image of the Buddha are:

Ghanasārappadittena

Dīpena tama-dhaṃsinā
Tiloka-dīpaṃ sambuddhaṃ
Pūjayāmi tamo-nudaṃ
 
Ghandha-sambhāra-yuttena
Dhūpenāhaṃ sugandhinā
Pūjaye pūjaneyyaṃ taṃ
Pūjābhajanamuttamaṃ[14]

With lights brightly shining
Abolishing this gloom
I adore the Enlightened One,
The Light of the three worlds.
 
With perfumed incense
And fragrant smoke
I worship the Exalted One,
Who is great and worthy of worship.[15]

Similarly, a traditional Pali incense-lighting verse speaks of the Buddha's "fragrant body and fragrant face, fragrant with infinite virtues."[16]

By contemplating on an offering, one tangibly sees life's impermanence (Pali: anicca), one of the three characteristics of all things upon which the Buddha encouraged his disciplines to recollect. For instance, the end of a traditional chant in Pali, when offering flowers (puppha pūjā) to an image of the Buddha is:

Pujemi Buddham kusumenanena

Puññenametena ca hotu mokkham
Puppham milāyāti yathā idam me
Kāyo tathā yāti vināsa-bhavam[14]

I worship the Buddha with these flowers;
May this virtue be helpful for my emancipation;
Just as these flowers fade,
Our body will undergo decay.[17]

In Northern Buddhism, sacred images have set before them:

  • water (representing hospitality, to wash the face and feet)
  • scarves (Tib. kha-btags, offering friendship)
  • flowers, incense, lamps, perfume and food (representing one's devoting all their senses to their spiritual practice).[16]

Non-material offerings edit

Practice offerings may be manifested by practicing:

In the Pali Canon, the Buddha declared practice offerings (Patipatti) as "the best way of honoring the Buddha"[19] and as the "supreme" offering.[8] This is primarily an internal offering for mental development (Pali: citta, bhāvanā and samādhi).

"But Ananda, whatever bhikkhu or bhikkhuni, layman or laywoman, abides by the Dhamma, lives uprightly in the Dhamma, walks in the way of the Dhamma, it is by such a one that the Tathagata is respected, venerated, esteemed, worshipped, and honored in the highest degree." (Taken from Mahāparinibbāṇa Sutta, Dīgha Nikāya)[20]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ See, for instance, Harvey (1990), pp. 172-3.
  2. ^ Indaratana (2002), pp. iv, v; Kapleau (1989), p. 193; Khantipalo (1982); Lee & Thanissaro (1998).
  3. ^ Indaratana (2002), pp. 11-12.
  4. ^ See, for instance, Indaratana (2002), pp. 11-12. Harvey (1990), p. 173, and Kariyawasam (1995), chapter 1, both maintain that flowers are the most common form of offering.
  5. ^ Kapleau (1989), p. 193; Khantipalo (1982); and, Harvey (1990), p. 175, particularly in regards to Northern Buddhism.
  6. ^ Lee & Thanissaro (1998). See also Harvey (1990), p. 173, who in discussing "offerings" states: "Such acts consequently generate 'merit'."
  7. ^ See, for instance, Indaratana (2002), p. v; Kapleau (1989), pp. 191ff.; and Khantipalo (1982).
  8. ^ a b c Lee & Thanissaro (1998).
  9. ^ Khantipalo (1982).
  10. ^ See also Alms#Buddhism regarding the traditional Theravada offering of providing daily alms to bhikkhus.
  11. ^ Khantipalo (1982); Lee & Thanissaro (1998).
  12. ^ See, for instance, Lee & Thanissaro (1998).
  13. ^ Harvey (1990), p. 173.
  14. ^ a b Indaratana (2002), p. 12.
  15. ^ Indaratana (2002), p. 11. See also Harvey (1990), p. 175, who translates the light-offering verse in part as describing the Buddha as "the lamp of the three worlds, dispeller of darkness."
  16. ^ a b Harvey (1990), p. 175.
  17. ^ Indaratana (2002), p. 11. Similarly, see Harvey (1990), p. 173; and, Kariyawasam (1995), ch. 1, sect. 2, "Personal Worship."
  18. ^ Khantipalo (1982); and, Nyanaponika (2000), pp. 298-299. On the other hand, Lee & Thanissaro (1998) identify only meditation as patipatti-puja.
  19. ^ Kantipalo (1982), n. 1.
  20. ^ "Maha-parinibbana Sutta: Last Days of the Buddha".

Bibliography edit

External links edit

  • Soto Zen home altar with offerings.
  • The Consecration Ritual
  • Virtual Puja at Emerald Buddha Temple-วัดพระแก้ว

January 01, 1970
offering, buddhism, buddhism, symbolic, offerings, made, triple, giving, rise, contemplative, gratitude, inspiration, typical, material, offerings, involve, simple, objects, such, candle, lamp, burning, incense, flowers, food, fruit, water, drinks, worshippers. In Buddhism symbolic offerings are made to the Triple Gem giving rise to contemplative gratitude and inspiration 1 Typical material offerings involve simple objects such as a lit candle or oil lamp 2 burning incense 3 flowers 4 food fruit water or drinks 5 Worshippers making offerings of incense flowers and candles to a chedi at Wat Doi Suthep Chiang Mai Thailand An offering at Chaitya Bhoomi Within the traditional Buddhist framework of karma and rebirth offerings lead to the accumulation of merit which leads to a better rebirth in the cycle of birth and death Pali vattagamini kusala progress towards release from suffering Pali vivattagamini kusala 6 These offerings often act as preparation for meditation 7 In some traditions two different types of offerings are identified material or hospitality offerings Pali amisa puja 8 or sakkara puja 9 10 practice offerings Pali patipatti puja 11 Contents 1 Material offering 2 Non material offerings 3 See also 4 Notes 5 Bibliography 6 External linksMaterial offering editMaterial offerings are considered external offerings of words and deeds 8 Material offerings nurture generosity Pali dana and virtue Pali sila 12 The act further honors the Triple Gem the Buddha Dhamma and Sangha deepening one s commitment to the Buddha s path Material offerings might be imbued with the following symbology the lighting of a candle or an oil lamp represents the light of wisdom illuminating the darkness of ignorance the burning of incense represents the fragrant scent of morality flowers represents the aspiration to achieve the body of the Buddha with the thirty two marks of the Buddha as well as the teaching of impermanence Alternately a Zen verse expresses the desire for the mind s flowers to bloom in the springtime of enlightenment 13 food fruit water drinks represents the nectar of Dharma and the wish to achieve it Traditional chants in Pali when offering lit candles padipa puja and incense sugandha puja to an image of the Buddha are Ghanasarappadittena Dipena tama dhaṃsina Tiloka dipaṃ sambuddhaṃ Pujayami tamo nudaṃ Ghandha sambhara yuttena Dhupenahaṃ sugandhina Pujaye pujaneyyaṃ taṃ Pujabhajanamuttamaṃ 14 With lights brightly shining Abolishing this gloom I adore the Enlightened One The Light of the three worlds With perfumed incense And fragrant smoke I worship the Exalted One Who is great and worthy of worship 15 Similarly a traditional Pali incense lighting verse speaks of the Buddha s fragrant body and fragrant face fragrant with infinite virtues 16 By contemplating on an offering one tangibly sees life s impermanence Pali anicca one of the three characteristics of all things upon which the Buddha encouraged his disciplines to recollect For instance the end of a traditional chant in Pali when offering flowers puppha puja to an image of the Buddha is Pujemi Buddham kusumenanena Punnenametena ca hotu mokkham Puppham milayati yatha idam me Kayo tatha yati vinasa bhavam 14 I worship the Buddha with these flowers May this virtue be helpful for my emancipation Just as these flowers fade Our body will undergo decay 17 In Northern Buddhism sacred images have set before them water representing hospitality to wash the face and feet scarves Tib kha btags offering friendship flowers incense lamps perfume and food representing one s devoting all their senses to their spiritual practice 16 Non material offerings editPractice offerings may be manifested by practicing giving Pali dana moral conduct sila meditation samadhi wisdom panna 18 In the Pali Canon the Buddha declared practice offerings Patipatti as the best way of honoring the Buddha 19 and as the supreme offering 8 This is primarily an internal offering for mental development Pali citta bhavana and samadhi But Ananda whatever bhikkhu or bhikkhuni layman or laywoman abides by the Dhamma lives uprightly in the Dhamma walks in the way of the Dhamma it is by such a one that the Tathagata is respected venerated esteemed worshipped and honored in the highest degree Taken from Mahaparinibbaṇa Sutta Digha Nikaya 20 See also editBuddhanussati Sacca kiriya Learning the Buddha Dhamma Dana Buddhism Ethical Conduct Buddhism Spiritual Cultivation Buddhism Contemplation Buddhism Meditation Buddhism Chanting Buddhism Devotion Buddhism Householder Buddhism Notes edit See for instance Harvey 1990 pp 172 3 Indaratana 2002 pp iv v Kapleau 1989 p 193 Khantipalo 1982 Lee amp Thanissaro 1998 Indaratana 2002 pp 11 12 See for instance Indaratana 2002 pp 11 12 Harvey 1990 p 173 and Kariyawasam 1995 chapter 1 both maintain that flowers are the most common form of offering Kapleau 1989 p 193 Khantipalo 1982 and Harvey 1990 p 175 particularly in regards to Northern Buddhism Lee amp Thanissaro 1998 See also Harvey 1990 p 173 who in discussing offerings states Such acts consequently generate merit See for instance Indaratana 2002 p v Kapleau 1989 pp 191ff and Khantipalo 1982 a b c Lee amp Thanissaro 1998 Khantipalo 1982 See also Alms Buddhism regarding the traditional Theravada offering of providing daily alms to bhikkhus Khantipalo 1982 Lee amp Thanissaro 1998 See for instance Lee amp Thanissaro 1998 Harvey 1990 p 173 a b Indaratana 2002 p 12 Indaratana 2002 p 11 See also Harvey 1990 p 175 who translates the light offering verse in part as describing the Buddha as the lamp of the three worlds dispeller of darkness a b Harvey 1990 p 175 Indaratana 2002 p 11 Similarly see Harvey 1990 p 173 and Kariyawasam 1995 ch 1 sect 2 Personal Worship Khantipalo 1982 and Nyanaponika 2000 pp 298 299 On the other hand Lee amp Thanissaro 1998 identify only meditation as patipatti puja Kantipalo 1982 n 1 Maha parinibbana Sutta Last Days of the Buddha Bibliography editHarvey Peter 1990 An introduction to Buddhism Teachings history and practices Cambridge Cambridge University ISBN 0 521 31333 3 Indaratana Maha Thera Elgiriye 2002 Vandana The Album of Pali Devotional Chanting and Hymns Penang Malaysia Mahindarama Dhamma Publication Retrieved 2007 10 22 from BuddhaNet at 1 Kariyawasam A G S 1995 Buddhist Ceremonies and Rituals of Sri Lanka The Wheel Publication No 402 404 Kandy Sri Lanka Buddhist Publication Society Retrieved 2007 10 23 from Access to Insight 1996 transcription at http www accesstoinsight org lib authors kariyawasam wheel402 html ch3 Kapleau Philip 1989b Zen Merging of East and West NY Anchor Book ISBN 0 385 26104 7 Khantipalo Bhikkhu 1982 Lay Buddhist Practice The Shrine Room Uposatha Day Rains Residence The Wheel No 206 207 Kandy Sri Lanka Buddhist Publication Society Retrieved 2007 10 22 from Access to Insight transcribed 1995 at http www accesstoinsight org lib authors khantipalo wheel206 html Lee Dhammadharo Ajaan amp Thanissaro Bhikkhu trans 1998 Visakha Puja Retrieved 2007 10 22 from Access to Insight at http www accesstoinsight org lib thai lee visakha html Nyanaponika Thera 2000 The Vision of Dhamma Buddhist Writings of Nyanaponika Thera Seattle BPS Pariyatti Editions ISBN 1 928706 03 7 Soni R L amp Bhikkhu Khantipalo 2006 Life s Highest Blessings The Maha Mangala Sutta Retrieved 2007 10 22 from Access to Insight at http www accesstoinsight org lib authors soni wheel254 htm permanent dead link External links editAbout the Buddha altar Soto Zen home altar with offerings The Consecration Ritual Virtual Puja at Emerald Buddha Temple wdphraaekw Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Offering Buddhism amp oldid 1083507593, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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