Offering incense
By offering different kinds
of incense or sandalwood, we wish that all sentient beings will receive the
pure fragrance of precept observance, and eliminate all their afflictions and
defiled habits.
Offering flowers
People who offer flowers will not suffer from
afflictions and turbidities in the future. Their living environment will be
free from pollution. By respectfully offering fragrant flowers, people can
receive the following ten benefits:
1.
They will be like a flower
in all their interactions with others, and people will be happy to see them.
2.
Their bodies will be free
from foul odors.
3.
The fragrance of their
blessings and precept observance will permeate all directions.
4.
Wherever they are born, they
will have a healthy nose.
5.
Their
demeanor will be beyond the secular world
and they will receive the admiration of others.
6.
Their bodies will always be
clean and fragrant.
7.
They will enjoy pursuing the
truth and reading or reciting sutras.
8.
They will have great
blessings.
9.
They will be reborn in the
heavens at the end of this lifetime.
10.
They will quickly realize
Nirvana.
Offering lamps
By respectfully
offering lighting appliances and bringing brightness to others, people can
receive ten kinds of blessings:
1.
They
will shine luminously upon the world as if they were a bright lamp.
2.
They
will not suffer from eye illnesses.
3.
They
will easily realize the spiritual power of unobstructed vision.
4.
They
will have the wisdom to distinguish between good and bad.
5.
They
will not encounter gloomy and unfortunate events.
6.
They
will not be easily confused by external events.
7.
They
will not be born in dark and shady places.
8.
They
will have great blessings.
9.
They will be reborn in the
heavens at the end of this lifetime.
10.
They will quickly realize
Nirvana.
Offering fruits
People who offer fruits will
enjoy working diligently and be complete with concentration and wisdom in the
future. Offering fruits will lead to the realization of fruition with no
outflows (which is Nirvana: purity and a lack of afflictions).
Offering tea and drinks
People
who offer drinks will always be free from all afflictions and cravings.
Offering food
By respectfully
offering food, people can receive the following ten blessings:
1.
They
will enjoy a long life.
2.
They
will have healthy skin and a pleasant complexion.
3.
They
will be strong and energetic.
4.
They
will have unobstructed eloquence.
5.
They
will be fearless.
6.
They
will not be lazy in their work, and will always be respected by others.
7.
People
will enjoy their company.
8.
They
will have great blessings.
9.
They will be reborn in the
heavens at the end of this lifetime.
10.
They will quickly realize
Nirvana.
Offering perfume
By
sprinkling fragrant water on the Buddha’s stupas, or bathing the Buddha’s body
with fragrant water, or applying fragrant oil to a Buddha statue, people will
have an exceptionally adorned body and appearance in the future. By offering
fragrant water for sages to bathe in, they will be born in noble and wealthy
families in the future. They will also enjoy peace, happiness, and have few
illnesses.
Offering clothing
By respectfully
offering clothing, people can receive the following ten kinds of blessings:
1.
They
will have a dignified appearance.
2.
Their
skin will be soft, smooth and tender.
3.
Their
bodies will not pick up any dust or defilements.
4.
They
will have the best clothing as soon as they are born.
5.
They
will cover their bodies with the finest sheets and blankets.
6.
They
will have a sense of remorse.
7.
They
will be loved and respected by all who see them.
8.
They
will have great wealth and treasures.
9.
They will be reborn in the
heavens at the end of this lifetime.
10.
They will quickly realize
Nirvana.
Offering Dharma treasures
People
who offer the Dharma will have wisdom in the future. By offering sutras and explaining
the Dharma, people can receive the following five kinds of blessings:
1. Longevity:
After reading the sutras and listening to their explanations, people will not
create the karma of killing, so the giver will receive the reward of living a
long life.
2. Great
wealth: After reading the sutras and listening to their explanations, people
will not steal from others, so the giver will enjoy the reward of having great
wealth.
3. Dignified
appearance: After reading the sutras and listening to their explanations,
people will be calm and even-tempered, so the giver will receive the reward of
having a dignified appearance in the future.
4. Fame:
After reading the sutras and listening to their explanations, people will
generate faith in the Buddhadharma, so the giver will receive the reward of
being honorable and enjoying fame and prestige in the future.
5. Intelligent:
After reading the sutras and listening to their explanations, people will improve
in their ability to understand them, so the giver will receive the reward of
being intelligent in the future.
Offering jewels
By offering precious
jewels, people will be complete with the Buddha’s Thirty-two Auspicious
Characteristics. By offering necklaces made of jade and pearls, they will be
complete with the Eighty Minor Marks of a Buddha. By offering gold, silver,
pearls and jewels, we hope that all sentient beings will have bodies adorned
with many blessings. By offering jewels, we hope that all sentient beings will
receive the unsurpassed Dharma wealth of the Buddha.