Various Kinds of Offerings

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Offering of Lights

The offering of light reminds us of the illuminating brightness of Wisdom which dispels the darkness of Ignorance on the path towards Enlightenment. This urges us to seek the light of ultimate Wisdom.

Reverencing the Buddha, we offer candles and lamps:
To Him, who is the light, we offer light.
From His great lamp, a lamp we light within us:
The lamp of Bodhi (awakening) shining within our hearts.

Offering of Flowers

The offering of fresh and beautiful flowers which soon becomes withered, scentless and discoloured serves as a reminder of the impermanence of all things, including our very lives. This urges us to treasure every moment of our life while not becoming attached to it.

Reverencing the Buddha, we offer flowers:
Flowers that today are fresh and sweetly blooming,
Flowers that tomorrow are faded and fallen.
Our bodies too, like flowers will also pass away.

Offering of Incense

The offering of fragrant burning incense which fills the air symbolizes the virtue and purifying effect of wholesome conduct. This urges us to cease all evil and to cultivate all of the good.

Reverencing the Buddha, we offer incense:
Incense whose fragrance pervades the air.
The fragrance of the perfect life, sweeter than incense,
Spreads in all directions throughout the world.

Offering of Water

The offering of water symbolizes Purity, Clarity and Calmness. This urges us to cultivate our body, speech and Mind to attain these qualities.

Offering of Fruits

Fruits symbolizes the fruits of spiritual attainment that lead towards the ultimate fruit of Enlightenment, which is the goal of all Buddhists. This urges us to strive towards the Enlightenment for one and all of us.

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