It only takes a minute to visit more on AtoZers on the Linky.
My theme this year is Burma AKA Myanmar. I used to live in Laos so I looked forward to returning to Southeast Asia. I spent a little over three weeks exploring this country, learning a bit about its culture: its history, religion, and language. I thought others might enjoy some of what I learned and see some of what I saw.
|
Flowers is the third offering to signify the awakening to the beauty around you. |
Buddists’ offerings are the way to disconnect from attachment to material things and greed. All offerings are done in sevens. Seven bowls and seven meanings for the offerings.
These are the offerings with VERY brief explanations about their significance. I hope the Buddists will forgive these simple explanations.
- Drinking Water: (I saw many containers of water at the entrance to the shrines and asked why.) Offering #1 is to bring the end of suffering through thirst.
- Bathing Water: Those who offer this water gain merit and dissolve interference with meditation.
- Flowers: These are meant to awaken all who see them to beauty around them.
- Incense: This eliminates sour, unhealthy smells and invites others to a place where all smell are fragrant.
- Light: Lamps or candles bring light to the world, so all will gain knowledge and enlightenment.
- Perfume: These scents interrupt, if only for a short time) the negative patterns of things like aggression, ignorance and attachment.
- Food: This is to relieve suffering of hunger and bring into focus food in abundance, so meditation will not be interrupted.
Here’s a friend with her offering of flowers. |
Answers to N
F 1. All women in Burma are required to become nuns and follow the tradition of what is called the bhikkhunis. (No. But it is something many choose to do. And it’s common for younger girls to sign on during vacation time. I’ve read that an estimated 30,000 women are wearing the pink robe these days.)
F 2. Nuns have an equal status with monks. (Not quite. They’re missing what is called “bhun” (glory or power), which is supposed to be stronger in men than in women. But women in Burma wield a lot of power, especially in the matter of family finance.)
NOW what do you know about offerings?
T/F 1. People believe that giving offerings buys them a place in Nirvana.
T/F 2. Offerings are a way to pay respects to the wisdom of Buddha or the Dharma, the Truth.
Answers tomorrow.
Empty Nest Insider says
The 7 offerings are a very warm and gracious custom.
Julie
C. Lee McKenzie says
I found the offerings to be quite touching.
Nadine_Feldman says
This sounds like a lovely way to live! What a powerful ceremony.
Sandra Cox says
I had no idea. Thanks for sharing.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – Offerings .. I hadn't realised the significance of Offerings per se … and I need to come back and re-read this properly … fascinating .. and about the answers to the N for nuns … cheers Hilary
Clarabelle Rant says
This is one of my favorite posts of the AtoZ so far. I've always seen pictures of offerings, but never knew what they were meant for. THANK YOU!
You can find me here:
ClarabelleRant
Birgit says
I love this! To give gifts and the meaning behind it is so enriching-we could all learn from this style. OK so I say False to the first but true to the second:)
Lexa Cain says
As someone who lives in a third world country I can attest to the amount of incense and perfume Egyptians use. They don't normally use antiperspirants or deodorants, and things can get ripe fast. Their perfumes and incense is very strong, far stronger than what we're used to in the west. Was it the same in Burma? Thanks for sharing the lovely Buddhist traditions! 🙂
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Interesting customs.
David P. King says
I hear water is so precious over there. To sacrifice it is a big deal. 🙂
Yvonne Ventresca says
The offerings are fascinating — thanks for sharing.
Yvonne
Stephanie Faris says
It's great to hear that women have power! I do all the finances in my family and I'm not financially savvy, so that's a little scary.
Cherie Reich says
Things do go well in sevens. And 1 is false and 2 might be true (not as certain about that one).
Untethered Realms
Patricia Lynne says
Interesting offerings.
DEZMOND says
why did you live in Laos? With family? On business?
Mark Noce says
Neato:) Well, aren't you the world traveler:)
Julie Flanders says
This was one of the most interesting posts yet to me. I love the idea of the offerings and it's so interesting to learn what each one means.
Caffe Maggieato says
Enjoyed reading about the seven offerings! The Chinese burn incense and offer food to their dead ancestors, as well as some form of paper (money). The idea, I believe, is that in the afterlife souls just move to a different plane but still live like we do. Have a great weekend!
J.H. Moncrieff says
One of the things I really loved about Bali was all the offerings. You had to be careful not to step on them, though. They were everywhere–on the sidewalks and in shopping malls.
The whole country smells of sandalwood incense. 🙂
nashvillecats2 says
A wonderful post, Loved it.
Yvonne.
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
It's very appropriate that the first offering is water since it's the first thing beyond air we need to live. Going with False and False again today.
Sherry Ellis says
I didn't know all women were supposed to become nuns in that tradition. I would guess celibacy is not part of the equation, as it is with Catholic nuns.
Sherry Ellis says
I didn't know all women were supposed to become nuns in that tradition. I would guess celibacy is not part of the equation, as it is with Catholic nuns.
Chrys Fey says
I like how the offerings have meanings. I agree with Cathrina that we should all practice this. 🙂
Karen Mortensen says
Thanks. It was nice to know the explanations behind all those offerings.
Cathrina Constantine says
We should all practice such wonderful 7 offerings!
Michael Di Gesu says
Hi, Lee,
Love your theme…. Always love to read about different cultures and their customs.
The offerings are lovely. Nothing more simple and beautiful than flowers and pleasing scents….
Nick Wilford says
I certainly enjoyed visiting the temples in Bangkok, so peaceful. I think 1 is false but 2 is true. I think you would need to do a bit more to earn a place.
TheCyborgMom says
Just reading this post felt very peaceful to me. Gotta love the Buddhists!
Katie @TheCyborgMom
Peaches D. Ledwidge says
Wonderful to see how different cultures function.
You're giving teaching moments.
Your theme and posts also show your tolerance and acceptance for other cultures.
A Tarkabarka Hölgy says
Much better than animal sacrifice, huh…
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary – Epics from A to Z
MopDog – 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary
Natasha Duncan-Drake says
Scent seems to be important in the offerings since it's in there twice. Thank you for the quick summary, it is most interesting.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Jennifer Hawes says
Seven is a very significant number in the Bible:) Love the flowers!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Those seven offerings cover it all, don't they?