This Set of 7 Steel Offering Bowls 9cm has been handcrafted using traditional methods. In fact, these same Nepalese craftsmen have been the preferred source of Tibetan monasteries for many centuries.
Traditionally, there are seven offering substances: drinking water, bathing water, flowers, incense, light, perfume, and food. However, water is often substituted because it is visualised as pure nectar by the Buddhas. Moreover, water is abundant in Tibet and devotees are encouraged to be generous with their time and possessions, just as they would give water.
The Tibetan offering ritual begins in the morning when bowls are filled and left at their Buddhist altar. In the evening, the bowls are emptied and the ritual is completed. If this offering is done correctly, it has the potential to alleviate greed and improve your generosity. Furthermore, it is believed that the Tibetan offering ritual is done for the delight of the Buddhas.
Height 4cm / 1.5 inches
Diameter 9cm / 3.5 inches
Handmade in Nepal.
Instructions for use:
Make Water Offerings
1. Start with the offering bowls facing downwards in a straight line on your altar.
2. Turn the first bowl to the left and fill it with some clean water from an offering jar.
3. Turn the second bowl over and pour most of the water from the first bowl into the second bowl, making sure to leave a small amount of water in the first bowl.
4. Turn the third bowl over and pour most of the water from the second bowl into the third bowl, making sure to leave a small amount of water in the second bowl.
5. Continue in this way until all seven bowls have some water in them.
6. Fill the offering bowls from left to right with more clean water from the offering pitcher. For auspiciousness, each bowl should be filled to the length of a grain of rice from the rim.
7. Throughout, chant “OM AH HUM” continuously.
8. Adjust the placement of the bowls so that they are one length of rice grain apart. Placing them too far apart creates the causes for being distant from the spiritual guide, while placing them too close together creates the causes for having a dull mind.
9. Light an incense stick and purify the water offerings while chanting “OM AH HUM”. Visualize that they are infinitely multiplied and transformed into an ocean of nectar and offered to all beings in the field of merit.
10. Recite a brief dedicatory prayer after completing the water offering ritual.
Closing the Offerings
1. Starting with the rightmost bowl, pour the water into a clean bucket or other suitable container.
2. Dry the bowl using a cloth set aside for this purpose, then place it face down on the altar.
3. Continue in this way from right to left until all the bowls are empty and dry.
4. Throughout this process, chant the 100-syllable Vajrasattva mantra or other purification mantras and visualize that your obstacles and delusions are being purified.
5. When not in use, offering bowls should always be kept face down or stored in a clean, dry place.
Nice quality, biggish, good looking bowls.