Dear Student,
Samye Institute wishes our entire family a joyous Saga Dawa! We hear often that these auspicious times are ideal times for accumulating and multiplying merit. Because we don’t always know where to begin, or why merit matters, we’ve chosen this selection of teachings from our archives to inspire us. May all beings benefit!
SHRINE OFFERINGS: MINDFULNESS PRACTICE
Mindfulness is a popular buzz-word these days. Yet we may be under the impression that mindfulness applies either to silent meditation on our cushions, or more “popular” versions such as mindful eating. But offering practice is an important form of mind training!
Here we present a complete explanation of shrine offerings. In the two videos via the link, Tulku Migmar explains step-by-step both the elaborate shrine offerings and the daily water bowl offerings. Tulku-la explains that the practice is an accumulation of merit, but also a form of mind-training as we must take the opportunity to practice mindfulness when we make offerings.
The practice of offering is taught throughout the Buddha’s teachings, in both sutra and tantras. We make offerings as a skillful and supportive method to
cultivate indispensable merit while on the path to enlightenment.
The practice of making offerings is not simply a dry method, technique, or cultural custom; it is a truly profound practice. Phakchok Rinpoche often stresses the importance of taking the time to make proper offerings. Offerings can be either simple or elaborate and are a powerfully transformative factor when understood and practiced with both the heart and the mind.
In the practice of offering it is of central importance to have both an actual physical offering as well as the proper inner state of mind. Thus, we take time to consider our motivation and change it when necessary. We also practice visualization and non-distraction. Sentient beings all possess destructive emotions such as greed, stinginess, clinging, self cherishing, lack of care for others, pride, jealousy, etc. In order to reduce these tendencies and come to manifest their pure inner nature, the practice of offering is supreme.
THE EIGHT OUTER OFFERINGS
A simple Buddhist shrine contains an image of the Buddha, representing the enlightened body. Additionally, we add a sutra text, representing enlightened speech. And finally, we place a stupa (or a photo of a stupa), representing the enlightened mind. All sentient beings naturally possess this enlightened body, speech, and mind but we have yet to realize it. As a way to express respect, joy, and aspiration in front of these supports, we place offerings in front of these representations on the shrine.
The eight outer offerings are also essential to have on one’s shrine when engaging in the sādhana (means of accomplishing) practice of the yidam deity. The deity is the wisdom manifestation of one’s pure and enlightened nature, thus making beautiful and fresh offerings to the deity is of great importance and a tremendous source of merit.
Whether one is a beginning or seasoned dharma practitioner, the eight outer offerings are a simple yet profound way to cultivate merit, respect for oneself and others, and a proper environment for spiritual practice.
- Water for drinking
- Water for washing
- Flowers
- Incense
- Light
- Perfumed/scented water
- Food
- Music/sound
In the two videos that can be found
here, Tulku Migmar shows us the proper placement and gives more instruction on how to make these offerings. Tulku-la then explains how we can also make offerings of pure water on a daily basis and he gives very detailed teaching on how to correctly make water offerings.
If you are looking for authentic shrine offering supplies, we suggest that you browse the beautifully crafted items at:
