Serkyem (Golden Drink Offering) is also known as Dharmapala Offering. Serkyem are used for ritual offering to Protector deities and guardian. Serkyems comprises of two pieces, a chalice and a basin for overflowing. A serkyem is most commonly filled w/ tea or wine and other tsok substances and offered to the Dharma protectors for the continuous protection and spread of the holy teachings of the Buddha. In the Tibetan language "Ser" means gold and "Kyem" means drink.
The Serkyem Offering Container
When we make our offering to the Guardians of the Dharma, we use what is known as a serkyem (gser skyem, the golden beverage). A serkyem consists of two pieces stacked; a tall, thin chalice placed inside a container.
When you are making offerings to the Protectors, the cup/chalice should be placed upright and black tea or dark alcohol (like dark rum) is poured in and a small amount of raw mixed grains is added. The liquid is poured into the top of the chalice and allowed to overflow into the bottom. The top offering represents the offering to the Three Roots—Lama, Yidam and Dakini and the bottom the offering to the Protectors.
You let the tea run over into the bottom from the top symbolizing the offering from the Three Roots to the Protectors. Add some mixed grains to both the top and bottom of the serkyem representing food offerings. The offering should be arranged in a calm and respectful manner. When it is placed on the shrine it is always offered together with incense.
When the serkyem is not being used the chalice should be cleaned and placed on its side within the bottom dish beside the shrine (not on the shrine). It is important to not leave the cup upright and empty on the shrine because this would be inauspicious.
Making the Offering
When it is time to perform the Protectors’ offering prayer, the serkyem is offered while visualizing ourselves as the deity. While maintaining the Vajra pride of being the deity, light rays issue forth from your heart purifying, consecrating, and vastly multiplying your offering. Your offering has now been transformed into the drink of nectar that delights the senses.
Once you have completed all the closing prayers, take the serkyem outside and hold the top in one hand and the bottom in the other. First offer the top liquid in an upward motion away from you. While you are doing this visualize that you are making offerings to the Three Roots and they are receiving it and then offer the bottom liquid in the same way, however, this time you visualize that you are making offerings to the Protectors.
In both cases, feel that they are delighted with your offerings and accept your offering of the golden drink and food. If circumstances don't permit you to make the offering outside right away pour the liquid into a clean container and make the offering in a nearby park when you have time. You can let it accumulate for a few days. In a group practice, the Chopon makes the offering outside immediately after the Protector’s practice is completed.
In summation, through the power of our offering we are beseeching and commanding the Protectors to uphold their vow to support the flourishing and the spread of the Dharma teachings and support practitioners by making everything auspicious. Protectors are very lineage specific and are like allied energies supporting the Dharma.
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