Shrine Offerings: An Explanation

In this video, Tulku Migmar shows us how to place the eight outer offerings on our shrine and gives more instruction on how to make these 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.

简体中文
Português
Español
Tiếng Việt