<p>Feeding local animals is also a form of generosity, it could be for that reason as well. You could wait near the tree in silent meditation until the food scattering person arrives and ask them personally for the best answer. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-02T02:33:37.527Z
2015-09-02T02:33:37.527Z
hellyale
<p>In some Asian countries they will set out food as offerings so that hungry ghosts can make merit. In some instances they will even build tiny houses for them.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-01T22:35:26.677Z
2015-09-01T22:35:26.677Z
Ryan
<p>The fruit etc is probably offerings to the spirit that lives in the tree. Worship of tree spirits (or dryads) is widespread through South and South-East Asia, and a very common element of traditional Buddhism. In Thailand such spirits are known as Nang Mai.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/hftCP.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/hftCP.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br />
A Buddhist Tree Shrine, Thailand.</p>
<p>Tree spirits (Pāḷi <em>rukkhadevatā</em>) can be found in the Cūḷadhammasamādāna Sutta (MN 45; p.406 in the Ñānamoḷi and Bodhi translation). Tree spirits along with other nature spirits are also found in the Gilānadassana Sutta (SN 41.10). They are also found in a number of Jātaka tales. According to Bhante Dhammika, in his essay <a href="http://www.bhantedhammika.net/essays/trees-in-the-buddhist-scriptures" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Trees in the Buddhist Scriptures</a>, it was common practice to make offerings to such tree spirits:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Other trees were worshipped and given offerings because the spirits were believed to grant wishes. Milk and water were poured on the roots, garlands were hung in the branches, lamps of scented oil were burned around them and cloth was tied around their trunks (Ja.II,104). There is the occasional mention of animal and even human sacrifices being made to trees. The victim’s blood was poured around the foot of the tree and the entrails were draped over the branches (Ja.I,260; III,160).</p>
<p>Note Ja = Jātaka.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Many animist elements, such as <em>yakṣas</em> and <em>nāgas</em>, are evident at every level of the early Buddhist texts and must have been assimilated very early on.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="http://www.londonbuddhistvihara.org/qa/qa_practices.htm#qa_practices3" rel="nofollow noreferrer">London Buddhist Vihara website</a> offerings of flowers etc, and food, are made from feelings of devotion and not with the expectation of reward.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-01T18:06:13.083Z
2015-09-02T10:45:17.870Z
2020-06-17T09:56:10.877Z
Jayarava
<p>We often see things scattered under the main tree in the Buddhist Theravada temple yard. There is also fresh fruit cut open. It seems they are put under the tree deliberately and regularly. Does anyone know what is the purpose of this? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-01T18:01:07.347Z
What country are we talking about?
Jayarava
<theravada><traditions><food>
Purpose of scattered thing or food under tree?
# Purpose of scattered thing or food under tree?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-09-01)

We often see things scattered under the main tree in the Buddhist Theravada temple yard. There is also fresh fruit cut open. It seems they are put under the tree deliberately and regularly. Does anyone know what is the purpose of this?

**Tags:** theravada, traditions, food

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What country are we talking about?  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-09-01. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

The fruit etc is probably offerings to the spirit that lives in the tree. Worship of tree spirits (or dryads) is widespread through South and South-East Asia, and a very common element of traditional Buddhism. In Thailand such spirits are known as Nang Mai.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/hftCP.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/hftCP.jpg)  
A Buddhist Tree Shrine, Thailand.

Tree spirits (Pāḷi *rukkhadevatā*) can be found in the Cūḷadhammasamādāna Sutta (MN 45; p.406 in the Ñānamoḷi and Bodhi translation). Tree spirits along with other nature spirits are also found in the Gilānadassana Sutta (SN 41.10). They are also found in a number of Jātaka tales. According to Bhante Dhammika, in his essay [Trees in the Buddhist Scriptures](http://www.bhantedhammika.net/essays/trees-in-the-buddhist-scriptures), it was common practice to make offerings to such tree spirits:

> Other trees were worshipped and given offerings because the spirits were believed to grant wishes. Milk and water were poured on the roots, garlands were hung in the branches, lamps of scented oil were burned around them and cloth was tied around their trunks (Ja.II,104). There is the occasional mention of animal and even human sacrifices being made to trees. The victim’s blood was poured around the foot of the tree and the entrails were draped over the branches (Ja.I,260; III,160).
>
> Note Ja = Jātaka.

Many animist elements, such as *yakṣas* and *nāgas*, are evident at every level of the early Buddhist texts and must have been assimilated very early on.

According to the [London Buddhist Vihara website](http://www.londonbuddhistvihara.org/qa/qa_practices.htm#qa_practices3) offerings of flowers etc, and food, are made from feelings of devotion and not with the expectation of reward.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2015-09-02. Score: 2

Feeding local animals is also a form of generosity, it could be for that reason as well. You could wait near the tree in silent meditation until the food scattering person arrives and ask them personally for the best answer.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2015-09-01. Score: 2

In some Asian countries they will set out food as offerings so that hungry ghosts can make merit. In some instances they will even build tiny houses for them.


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