OFFERINGS is part of the practice of Buddhism, and certain
offerings are apparent on every shrine that is done in the
traditional way. However, these offerings are much more than a
ritualistic system and form, they are a viable extension of the
commitment to serve all beings. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche gave the
following explanation of the seven shrine offerings during the
Amitabha Seminar of July, 1981. The making of offerings is an
antidote to the pattern of attachment and greed. There is a
material aspect to offerings, where a person offers from his or
her possessions something particularly valued. Or someone may
symbolically offer the totality of their possessions with the
thought of bringing about benefit for all sentient beings, that
the material deprivation of all beings may be remedied and their
perfection of generosity take place. In general, offerings on a
shrine are in a set of seven, in seven bowls, and there are
specific meanings for each of the seven offerings. The first
offering is that of pure dr