Offering (Buddhism)

Offerings * Prostration
Taking refuge * Chanting * Pūja

Uposatha * Shinbyu * Thingyan
Buddha's Birthday

Five Precepts * Eight Precepts
Bodhisattva vow * Bodhisattva Precepts

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

Within the traditional Buddhist framework of karma and rebirth, offerings lead to the accumulation of merit, which leads to:

These offerings often act as preparation for meditation.

Material offerings nurture generosity (Pali:dāna) and virtue (Pali: sīla). The act further honors the Triple Gem (the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha), deepening one's commitment to the Buddha's path. For instance, traditional chants (in English and Pali) when offering lit candles (padīpa pūjā) and incense (sugandha pūjā) to an image of the Buddha are:

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Wikipedia