All offerings made should be on the level under the Stupa and the Scripture. In the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition it is custom to offer seven bowls of water, which represent the seven limbs of prayer. Flowers, candles or butter lamps, and incense are also commonly offered. It is customary to offer a part of every meal on the shrine before eating and a portion of tea before drinking. The things that should be offered should be clean, new and pleasing. . . . only the best part, fresh, and clean – never old, leftover, or spoiled food.
To offer water on your shrine, you should have a minimum of seven bowls. Start with fresh water every day. The bowls should be clean. Pour a little water into each bowl before placing it on the shrine. Place the bowls in a straight line, close together but not touching. Try not to breathe on the offerings. If you have a butter lamp, you can place it on your shrine between the third and fourth water bowls. Lamps or candles symbolize wisdom, eliminating the darkness of ignorance. In Tibetan monasteries hundreds of lamps are lit as offerings. There is really no limit to the quantity of either water bowls or lamps. It is also custom to have eight offerings with the bowls of water. They are as follows: Water to Cleanse the Mouth or Face - This Represents Auspiciousness Water to Wash the Feet - This Represents Purification (You do not need to add extra water. What is in the seven bowls is enough. ) Flowers - This Represents Generosity Incense - This Represents Discipline, Moral Ethics Light - This Represents Patience Fragrance - This Represents Perseverance (This can be Sandalwood or Saffron) Delicious Food - This Represents Samadhi (Concentration) Musical Instruments - Tis Represents Wisdom (You can use guitars, lutes, cymbals, singing bowls, etc. ) After pouring the water, lighting the candles and offering incense, bless the offerings by dipping a piece of kusha grass (or a tree twig) into the water, reciting three times OM AH HUM, and then sprinkling the offerings with water. Visualize that the offerings are blessed. It is excellent to dedicate the merit of making offerings to the elimination of suffering and its causes from all beings, to their achievement of lasting happiness, and to world peace. At the end of the day, before or at sunset, empty the bowls one by one, dry them with a clean cloth and stack them upside down or put them away. Never leave empty bowls right side up on the shrine. The water is not simply thrown away but offered to the plants in your house or in the garden. Food and flowers should also be put in a clean place outside where birds and animals can eat them. Bowls of fruit can be left on the shrine for a few days and can then be eaten when they come down – there is no need to put them outside.
