Offering (Buddhism)

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

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]

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.[8]

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

  • material or hospitality offerings (Pali: amisa-puja[9] or sakkara-puja[10])[11]
  • practice offerings (Pali: patipatti-puja[12])
  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. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2010-01-27). "Purity Of Sila [Chapter 5]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  8. ^ See, for instance, Indaratana (2002), p. v; Kapleau (1989), pp. 191ff.; and Khantipalo (1982).
  9. ^ Lee & Thanissaro (1998).
  10. ^ Khantipalo (1982).
  11. ^ See also Alms#Buddhism regarding the traditional Theravada offering of providing daily alms to bhikkhus.
  12. ^ Khantipalo (1982); Lee & Thanissaro (1998).