The Two Accumulations – Merit and wisdom

Merit is to be accumulated.

Evil is to be abandoned.

Merit and wisdom in Sanskrit are known as “Punya and “Jnana” . 

In Tibetan  known as “Sonam” and  “Yeshi”.  

In Chinese is “功德” and “智慧”

1 ) Merit

Is a concept considered fundamental to Buddhist ethics. It is a beneficial and protective force which accumulates as a result of good deeds, acts, or thoughts. Merit-making is important in Buddhist practice: merit brings good and agreeable results, determines the quality of the next life and contributes to a person's growth towards enlightenment. In addition, merit is also shared with a deceased loved one, in order to help the deceased in their new existence. 

Merit is a force that results from good deeds done; it is capable of attracting good circumstances in a person's life, as well as improving the person's mind and inner well-being. Moreover, it affects the next lives to come, as well as the destination a person is reborn.

Merit can be gained in a number of ways, such as giving, virtue and mental development. There are many forms of merit-making described in ancient Buddhist texts. The most fruitful form of merit-making is those good deeds done with regard to the Triple Gem, that is, the Buddha, his teachings, the Dhamma and the Sangha. 

Merit has become part of rituals, daily and weekly practice, and festivals. In addition, there is a widespread custom of transferring merit to one's deceased relatives. Merit is a "beneficial and protective force which extends over a long period of time and is the effect of Karma done through physical action, words, or thought.

The way meritorious works, is that acts of merit bring good and agreeable results, whereas demeritorious acts bring bad and disagreeable results. A mixture of the two generates mixed results in a person's life. This explains why people are different and lead different lives in many ways.

Karma is self-regulatory and is the cause and effects of positive and negative actions. In today's world we called it the Law of the Universe: it operates without divine intervention and human intention is fundamental to it.

Internally, merit makes the mind happy and virtuous. Externally, present good circumstances, such as a long life, health and wealth, as well as the character and abilities someone is born with, arise from merits done in the past and vice versa, with demerits.

The merits and demerits a person has done may take a while to bear fruit. This is how most often people arguing that ones had done many good deeds, yet still facing many harsh ship or unpleasant incidents or bad things happens to them. Likewise, those who has done bad karma , yet he or she is still having a very happy and luxurious life.

Merit or demerit may cause a good or bad future respectively, including in the next lives to come. A bad destination after rebirth may be caused by demerit, but merely a lack of merit may also lead a person to be born in an unhappy destination.

When someone is reborn in a happy destination, however, one can only stay there as long as merits last. Thus, it is stated in the Buddhist scriptures that people cannot take anything with them when they die, except for whatever merit and demerit they have done, which will affect their future. 

Merit can be accumulated in different quantities, and stored up, but also has an impermanent character: it can run out. 

How to generate merits?

Merit is not only a concept, but also a way of living. Three bases of merit :-

1) Generosity or giving 

2) Virtue - The defined by the three factors of the Eightfold Path:-
Right Speech,  Right Action ,  Right Livelihood.

3) Mental development / Samadhi – Meditation

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development? We need you to help secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism.

Please consider showing your support .Your generosity will certainly help us improve our works and to achieve for a better and brighter prospect to come.

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note
I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).
Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.
Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva 南無大願地藏王菩薩

“If the Hell is not empty, I shall not attain Buddhahood”

The Great Vow of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is known for his vow to take responsibility for the instruction of all beings in the six worlds between the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha and the incoming of Maitreya the next future Buddha,

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in Tibetan word is "Sa Yi Nyingpo". In Sanskrit name is "Ksitigarbha". In Chinese name is "地藏王菩薩" with his great vow- “If the Hell is not empty, I shall not attain Buddhahood”. Having vowed not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied, his activity focuses more particularly on helping those who suffer in the hell realms.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has received great respect and trust from all since long ago. Not only did he point out to us a road to achieving Buddhahood, but he also lighted up for us a hope in Dharma. For these reasons, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is known as “The King of Great Vows”. 

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is one of the most wonderful dimensions of the Mahayana Tradition of Buddhist practice and teaching are the different manifestations of Buddha’s Qualities of compassion and wisdom. These emanate as different Buddha deities. The form, appearance, costumes, mudras, implements and jewellery of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva differ quite considerably under Mahayana & Tibetan Buddhism. 

Manifestation in Mahayana Buddhism 

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is typically depicted with a shaven head, dressed in a monk's simple robes (unlike most other bodhisattvas, who are dressed like Indian royalty). In his left hand, Ksitigarbha holds a cintamani; in his right hand, he holds a staff "錫杖" , which is used to alert insects and small animals of his approach, so that he will not accidentally harm them. He is often depicted as white in color, holding a staff in his right hand and a jewel that symbolizes wisdom in his left hand.

Manifestation in Tibetan Buddhism

Ksitigarbha is shown wearing a crown depicting the Five Dhyani Buddhas as worn by Tibetan and in Tantric rituals.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is revered as the protector of stillborn, miscarried and aborted babies. He is the protective deity of travelers and guardian of pregnant women. He protects against earthquakes; he prolongs life and is a guardian of children.

The practice and prayers 

His mantra in Mahayana is “南無大願地藏王菩薩”

His mantra in Sanskrit is “oṃ ha ha ha vismaye svāhā”

I prostate, go for Refuge, make offerings, please grant blessings. The Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, who has unbearable compassion for me and all sentient beings (whose minds are obscure and who are suffering), who has qualities like the sky and liberates sentient beings from all the sufferings and gives all the happiness. (Recite three times.)

Five Reasons for Being Born into Poverty according to the Sutra of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva:-

1. The first of these is arrogance, particularly toward one’s parents.
2. The second is obstinacy, that is, refusing to listen to teachers and elders.
3. The third is lack of diligence in honoring the Triple Gem.
4. The fourth is thievery.
5. The fifth reason for being born into poverty is accumulation of unpaid debts. Although money is false and empty, it cannot be used casually and wasted. To borrow money and not repay it, thinking that you have no obligation because money is of no true importance, will lead to rebirth as a servile and poor person.

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright of these pictures.

Pictures courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.

Pictures are intended for editorial use only.

The Golden Drink Offerings - Serkyem

What is the golden drink Serkyem Offering?

The Serkyem offering set is used for making ritual offerings to Dharma-protectors and guardians. Literally, serkyem means “golden-drink.” Often serkyems are filled with black-tea and various grains such as hulled barley, rice, or wheat. Other offerings might include fruits, cookies, breads, and alcohol.

Serkyem, in Tibetan " Ser" literally  means golden and "Kyem" means beverage. Despite the existence of Serkyem-offering liturgies composed by High Lamas to certain Yidams, it remains largely a unique aspect of the Dharma Protector practice.

In the ancient times, the lamas developed this practice as an extended offering to the Dharma Protector to request for swift assistance. Hence, the Serkyem offering has become extremely popular among modern practitioners who seek assistance , especially in times of dire need.

The Serkyem offering is traditionally offered by pouring the beverage into a two-tiered vessel, which consists of a taller vessel placed into a lower bowl. Naturally, the Serkyem offering is offered from a jug or a suitable pot.

During the offering, the beverage is poured into the taller vessel to the point where the liquid overflows down into the lower bowl. In Buddhism, the symbolism of the overflowing liquid is highly auspicious because it represents an abundant flow of merits, virtues, material resources and conditions that are conducive for one’s Dharma practice.

The beverage can either be poured fully into the vessel prior to the recitation of the Serkyem verses, or it can be poured a little at a time during the recitation of relevant passages throughout the liturgy. 

The Serkyem vessel can be of any material such as gold, silver, copper, brass or even glass. Offering vessels that are made of precious materials are considered highly propitious, especially for lay practitioners who want to create tremendous merits and establish the closest affinity with the Protector.

In addition, the traditional Serkyem vessel that is made up of a taller central vessel and lower bowl is optional, although the overflowing symbolism is an auspicious offering to the Protector. In some cases, practitioners even use a tall wine glass placed inside a glass bowl as a Serkyem vessel.

Black Tea is traditionally offered as Serkyem because in ancient times, it was considered a precious beverage and a valuable commodity that the Tibetans imported from China. Due to its exquisite taste, it is usually offered to the Lamas, Yidams and Dharma Protectors and its golden color reflect the meaning of Serkyem. When tea is offered, it is traditionally offered piping hot as a direct request to the Dharma Protector for the swiftest assistance, heat being symbolic of rapidity.

Besides tea, Tibetan beer or alcohol can also be offered because of the Tantric meaning behind such substances. During a Tsog offering that the Tantrikas perform, a little bit of consecrated alcohol and meat is partaken to symbolize the psychic winds and bodily elements used in Tantric meditation. Hence, beer or alcohol represents Tantric attainments and is offered to the Dharma Protector as a direct request to overcome all obstacles that obstruct spiritual attainments and to bring about beneficial conditions swiftly.

Other suitable beverages that can be offered as Serkyem include milk, which symbolizes spiritual nourishment and also various types of fizzy drinks such as Coca-Cola.

The actual Serkyem offering ritual begins with the pouring of a little of the beverage into the vessel so it’s not empty (if its not already poured in full) along with a few grains of rice. The Serkyem is consecrated with three repetitions of the mantra Om Ah Hum, while purifying with incense. Then, the Serkyem liturgy is recited with each stanza describing an offering of the Serkyem to a particular being or a class of beings that play a defined role in our spiritual practice.

During the offering, the Serkyem is visualized to be divine nectar that expands to fill an entire ocean. This ocean is made out of not just the beverage that the practitioner offered but of all the desirable things in the world that excite and please the 5 senses.

This vast ocean is offered to the Protector and to the other special beings mentioned in the liturgy. In addition, the request or what the practitioner wants to achieve is visualized to come into fruition with the assistance of the Protector.

A brief explanation of the Serkyem liturgy:-

To the lineage Guru - The first stanza is an offering to the root lama whose blessings and teachings guide us along the path of attaining Compassion (Bodhichitta) and realization of Emptiness (Shunyata), the two main qualities of a Buddha.

To the Yidam - Offered to the Yidam that has been received as a practice from our Master.  Examples of yidams include, Manjushri, Vajrayogini, or Guru Rinpoche, Arya Tara and Avalokestesvara. Through the yidam’s Sadhana practice, we can achieve ordinary (health, wealth, clairvoyance and so forth) and extraordinary attainments (wisdom and compassion).

To the Enlightened Dakas and Dakinis - The offering of Serkyem continues by making offerings to the enlightened Dakas and Dakinis, the celestial enlightened beings that play a significant role in higher Tantric practices. This is to rouse them to come to our aid, especially to make our practice successful. 

To the Wisdom Dharmapalas - We offer Serkyem to the various Dharmapala Protectors like Mahakala, Palden Lhamo, Vaishravana, and so forth to create the merit to receive protection. 

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?  

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in the year 2008, we had been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 10 years.  We have exceptionally constrained supports and do not receive subsidized or funding from people in general. 


Please help us and to develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you, but to all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to enhance our work and to accomplish for a better and brighter prospect to come. 

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).
Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.
Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.

What is Tibetan Tormas?

Torma in Sanskrit word is called " Balingta"  and Tormas are offering cakes and symbolize the food offering to the Buddhas, Deities.  Originally made of dough, in Tibet, it roasted barley flour is used, and also sculpted from butter, they have evolved into elaborately decorated objects.  

Since making them is time-consuming, people have begun to use clay, wood and more recently, synthetic substances. Tormas are used not only in Vajrayana, but also during the Buddha Shakyamuni times. 

Legend has it, in the past in India, one day Ananda was in the forest in Kapilavastu. As he was contemplating the Dharma, before him low down in the sky appeared a *Preta with fire blazing from its mouth, terrifying to look at. It said to Ananda, " In seven days time you will die," Upon hearing this, Ananda was filled with fear and then told the Buddha what had happened. 

*Footnote
Preta is the Sanskrit name for a hungry ghost being described in Hinduism, Buddhism as undergoing suffering greater than that of humans, particularly an extreme level of hunger and thirst.

Buddha Shakyamuni then taught a majestic Dharani mantra and immeasurable Torma offering and by offering that Torma, Ananda was freed from the terror of untimely death and attained many excellent qualities.

The Essence of Tormas

Tormas are in essence the identity of indivisible basic space and wisdom

The Etymology of Tormas

Guru Rinpoche once said:-

Since they do not hold, but cast away, they are called "Tor" and since they pervade everything, they are called "Ma"

In that way, because they are given free of grasping and attachment they are described as "Tor" which means to scatter and disperse, and because they appear in front of all guests as they are described as "Ma".

The Different Types of Guests

How many types of guests, or recipients of Tormas are there? The different types of guests can be condensed into the objects of homage and objects of generosity. To be more detailed, there are four types of guests:-

1. The guests of honor, the objects of refuge
2. The guests of qualities, the glorious protectors
3. The guests of compassion, beings of the six classes
4. The guests of karmic debts, negative spirits

1-Tormas are dedicated to the guests of honor in the way that you would pay your taxes to the King.In that way, one gathers vast accumulations and protected by their compassion.

2-Tormas are dedicated to the guests of qualities in the way that you would give a present to a friend or equal standing.In that way, beneficial activities are accomplished and obstacles are prevented.

3-Tormas are dedicated to the guests of compassion as a feast or banquet.In that way, one accomplishes the benefit of others and thereby becomes a follower of the great vehicle.

4-Tormas are dedicated to the guests of karmic debts, negative spirits like paying back a debt. In that way, grudges are purified and future negative and harm is averted.

Tormas have different uses. Some are created and placed on shrines for ceremonies or to represent deities. Others are used in feast practice and consumed by practitioners during the practice. Others are made to appease spirits, accumulate merit, or remove obstacles. The Tormas are mostly made of barley flour and butter, but traditionally other ingredients such as egg, milk, sugar, honey, and even meat may be included depending upon the purpose of the Torma.

There Are 6 Different Types of Tormas
1) Deity Tormas are kept in the shrine, and represent a particular tantra deity. These Tormas vary in complexity from a very simple cone painted white for peaceful deities like Buddha, Tara and Avalokiteshvara, to very complex designs for semi-wrathful deities like Vajrayogini.

2) Food Tormas are used in feast practices and are consumed partially by practitioners during the feast, with leftovers offered to lower beings after being blessed. In some traditions, food Tormas are now made with more contemporary ingredients, whereas others stay faithful to the barley flour tradition.

3) Offering Tormas may be made for and offered to deities and Dharma Protectors, to obstruct spirits, or to other lower beings. Torma for obstructing spirits are called "Gektor".

4) Medicine Tormas may be used in Tibetan medicine to extract an illness from a patient as a cure. The torma is then cast away.

5) Captured Tormas may be used to speed completion of activities, by planning to offer the torma at the completion of the activity thereby encouraging successful activity.

6) Inner and secret Tormas are for practicing meditation with deity visualization is considered a form of Torma offering, though no physical Torma is created and then offered. Similarly, offering one's internal emotional and mental experiences and experiences of non-physical forms of Torma offerings.

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?  

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in the year 2008, we had been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 10 years.  We have exceptionally constrained supports and do not receive subsidized or funding from people in general. 

Please help us and to develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you, but to all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to enhance our work and to accomplish for a better and brighter prospect to come. 

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note
I do not own or infringe any copyright of these pictures.
Pictures courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios. Pictures are intended for editorial use only.

The Flowers offerings

I pray to the Buddha with these flowers;

May this virtue be helpful for my emancipation;

Just as these flowers fade,

Our body will undergo decay.

In Buddhism, symbolic offerings are made to the Triple Gem, giving rise to contemplative gratitude and inspiration. The type of material offerings involve simple objects such as a lit candle or oil lamp, burning incense, flowers, food, fruit, water. 

Why we give offerings to the Enlightened ones -The Buddhas?

The  Buddhas and the Enlightened beings they do not requiring these kind of offerings. We make these offerings is for accumulation of merits and wisdoms, enlightenment, Buddha hood, is achieved through these great qualities - accumulation and purification. As we knew the Buddhas had limitless of qualities which were attained through these two mentioned qualities.

From the traditional of Buddhist framework of karma and rebirth, offerings also lead us to a better rebirth in the cycle of birth and death and progress towards release from suffering. We are offering the best of something or something affordable to the enlightened ones,  so that we can one day, aspire to attain liberation like the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas.

The act of offering is an act of Dana. An act of generosity to the:-

1. Buddha himself – the Perfectly Enlightened One. 
2. To the Dharma – the Truth. 
3. To the Noble Enlightened Ones-the Great Compassion of Bodhisattvas.

In the Vajrayana and Mahayana traditions, flower offerings might be imbued with the following indications:-

Flowers are the most beautiful things in the world, we are offering the most beautiful things in the world to the Buddhas. When they fade, it is also a reminder those things of the world also fade,   it has reminded us of the teaching that “Whatever is of the nature to arise is also of the nature to cease”.  

Flowers represents the aspiration to achieve the body of the Buddha with the thirty-two marks of the Buddha as well as the teaching of impermanence.

From the sutra Distinguishing the Aspects of Karma (Lanam Je): There are ten benefits of offering flowers to the Buddhas, statues, stupas, scriptures, holy places and monastery. 

1. One becomes like a flower in the world. (You will be very beautiful; everyone will be attracted and amazed to look at you and will remember seeing you.)
2. The sense of smell will never degenerate. (Some people have sicknesses in the nose so that the sense of smell doesn’t function.)
3. One will never have bad body odor. (This will be completely purified.)
4. A smell of scented nectar will come from the body.
5. The smell of the morality of the person will spread in all directions and corners.
6. One will be a leader of the world. (One will be a leader of people, of the world, of holy beings.)
7. One will achieve beautiful attractive things.
8. One will have great wealth.
9. One will be reborn in a higher rebirth.
10. One will quickly achieve the sorrow less state and achieve enlightenment, the great liberation.

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright of these pictures.

Pictures courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.

Pictures are intended for editorial use only.

The Fire Puja Offerings

Fire Puja offerings are ritual offerings of smoke, smell and flaming made Offering to the Four Guests:-

• First, to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout the ten directions (ordinate and cardinal directions plus above and below) and the three times (past, present and future) as well as to the Yidam deities of all the Mandalas.
• Secondly, you are offering to the Dharmapalas, the Dharma protectors , wisdom Dakinis, and very high spiritual gods who protect the Dharma.
• The third class of guests includes all sentient beings, particularly local worldly deities and elemental worldly spirits.
• Finally, you are offering to hungry ghosts and to beings with whom you are karmically indebted.

There are three different types of fire-related pujas:-

1. Smoke Offering (Sang)
2. Smell Offering (Sur)
3. Fire Offering (Jinsek)

The major principle of fire Pujas is offering. One casts onto a fire and flame a dry powder of juniper, rhododendron, and other plants, mixed with the three white [milk, yogurt and butter] and the three sweets [honey, molasses and white sugar]. You put the food and whatever ingredients in the fire. As the fire burns it, it is totally consumed and in this way it is offered.

In the "Sang" - You are offering the smoke, in the "Sur" - You are offering the smell or scent. In the "Jinsek" - You are offering fire itself, the flame itself, and burning itself.  If one is making the sang and sur offerings, consistency is important as the guests for whom the offerings are made come to anticipate the ceremony. 

However, the inability to carry out the practice daily or even weekly should not dissuade one from making the offering as often as one is able. Also, it is always possible to make donations to the lamas at the monasteries, temple to carry out the practices on the behalf of yourself or others, including whatever prayers, Puja you wish.

Smoke offerings (Sang) 

Sang is mainly dedicated to what is referred to as “elemental spirits”– the gods of the mountain, the gods of the sky, the gods of the river, and the gods of all aspects– and “local deities.

Though only seen through expansive and refined sense perceptions, we can experience these classes of beings through observing signs in the natural world. including animals, features of the land, and weather patterns.  In addition to these particular guests, we also offer to the aforementioned “four guests”.

Where and when is Sang best offered

Sang is generally practiced in the daylight hours (usually before noon) and offered near one’s dwelling or on the top of a mountain. It can be offered anywhere that one wishes to renew and repair the connection with the elemental constituents of the area. 

The offering and intention create the causes and conditions for harmonious internally among the beings that inhabit the place, as well as externally in the environment itself. In this way, it can be an important step in the process of purifying gross and subtle levels of environmental pollution.  

The offering can also effect change in the experience of the beings that inhabit the place, for example, healing discord in one’s family or pacifying animals and pests.

What is offered

It is very important for the Sang offering to be clean. The offering of the short morning fire Puja can be quite small, a few teaspoons of the “sangdze” (Tibetan word literally means offering substance) is sufficient, though elaborate versions can consist of 10 or more large trays of heaped offerings along with beer and wine.  We then infinitely expand the offerings by visualizing them as billowing clouds that fill the extent of space.

What substance to offer

The offering substance, consists of a mixture of “the three white” and “the three sweet”

The three white substances are  flour, butter, yogurt.

The three sweet substances are  sugar, molasses, and honey.

Other substances are included of incense, 5 colored cloths, medicine, alcohol, and precious stones or jewels. 

What not to offer

No onion, garlic, meat, or eggs. A minor eggs ingredient that has made in some baked goods can be allowed.

Smell or scent offering (Sur)

Is mainly dedicated to the unseen beings and spirits that including the hungry ghosts that with whom you have a karmic debts.

Where and when is Sur best offered

Offered in locations similar to those of Sang.

Typically offered in the afternoon or evening. 

Offerings and prayers are given on behalf of the deceased loved ones throughout the entire 49 days that they may exist in the intermediate Bardo state. It is a common practice among Tibetan Buddhists to make personal offerings for their deceased loved ones to relieve  from attachment to their previous existence and facilitate an auspicious rebirth.  

What is offered

It is ideally consists of all kinds of food and drink that beings desire, including meat and alcohol.  Vegetarian food will be ideally and a better way of offering. In this way one can practice compassion and Bodhichita by abstaining of killing and animals scarified.

As with any practice, the merit generated is multiplied by the number of people who participate in the chanting or donation of offerings.  Everyone is welcome to assist in the preparations of the fire and offerings. This can include procuring the wood as well as purchasing the food.

Fire offering ( Jinsek )

Fire Puja, or fire offering, is a ritual practice of offering into the fire, a ritual of generously burning offerings, using the fire element to accomplish an enlightened action quickly and powerfully. 

According to the secret Vajrayana teachings include the practice of Jinsek. Every item offered in burning Pujas is good for some purpose.

What substance to offer

By offerings grains pacify sickness and to give strength.

By offerings crepe grass to gain healthy long life.

By offerings Kusha grass to purify pollutions.

By offerings butter to gain wealth.

There are various substances that are offered to the deity during the fire Puja. Each mentioned substance has the potential power to affect your life. Like this, all the substances offered are to actualize different potentials and types of success.

There are four Jinseks of fire Pujas are performed to accomplish the enlightened activities. Each Jinsek is performed by a different lama and corresponds with specific colors, directions, times of day and energies.  The benefits of performing Jinseks, or even making a connection with them, are immense, both relatively and ultimately.

The four Jinseks practices 

1) Pacifying (Zhiway Jinsek in the morning)

"Heals imbalances of physical elements that result in sickness; removes negative energy for us personally and the world in general; pacifies karmic defilements of countless lifetimes and liberates us from unwanted circumstances."

2) Wrathful (Drakpo Jinsek in the evening )

"All enemies, obstructed and those who bring harm both to worldly life and the path of enlightenment are eliminated and liberated.

3) Magnetizing (Wang-gi Jinsek in the afternoon)

"Any worldly desirable qualities and glorious qualities of the Dharma path, such as meditative experience, realization and enlightened wisdom qualities are magnetized and brought under one's control."   

4) Enriching (Gyaybay Jinsek in the morning) 

"Longevity, merit, glory, wealth, splendor, powerful influence, fame, good reputation, wisdom and all enlightened qualities are enriched and expanded."

Generally, the burning Puja is offered at the end of great nearing retreats, three-year retreats, or short retreats of the enlightened being deities. These retreats are done with mantra recitation that brings you closer to the deity. 

The fire Puja is offered to restore parts of the practice that were left out, or mantras that have been incorrectly recited or mixed up, performed with unclear concentration. It also generally purifies defilements and negative karma.

*Footnote

For those who had received the empowerment of this Tantric practice, you are reminded not intentionally or unintentionally to disclose the mantra to the public or anyone who may not have the empowerment or permission to practice, and by disclosing the mantra intentionally or unintentionally is a form of breaking your Tantric Samaya vows to the lineage masters and Dharma protectors. 

Please consult your Guru or a qualified lineage master for Vajrayana practice! Should a devotee even want to start studying and contemplating the Vajrayana practice, then it is truly necessary to first have completed the preliminaries and to be certain and sure that Bodhicitta has arisen and developed in one’s mind.

Vajrayana features countless skillful and powerful methods which, if they are practiced in the proper way, can make the process of accumulation and purification incredibly swift and direct. It is absolutely necessary to have the pure motivation and to know that Vajrayana practice is not carried out to increase one’s own ego, power and self-interest.

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