Offerings are made to the Triple Gem, giving rise to contemplative gratitude and inspiration involve simple objects such as a lit candle or oil lamp,sandalwood incense, flowers,] food, fruit, water or drinks. The making of offerings is from your gracious mindfulness and it helps to lead to a better rebirth in the cycle of birth and death and progress towards release from suffering. These offerings often act as preparation for meditation. Material offerings nurture generosity (Pali:dāna) and virtue (Pali: sīla). The act further honors the Triple Gem (the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha), deepening ones commitment to the Buddhas path. For instance, traditional chants when offering lit candles and incense to an image of the Buddha are: 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. By contemplating on an offering, one tangibly sees lifes 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 when offering flowers to an image of the Buddha is: 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
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 07:49:48 +0000
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