To make offerings to the Buddha is an expression of our reverence. Many believe the noble act to the Perfectly Enlightened One – Buddha will inspire us to have joyous mind and to bring wholesome conditions into our lives. Traditionally, the sorts of things we can offer are water-represent purification; flowers-represent beauty and adornments, candles-represent light, fruits-represent fruition of undertaken wholesome deed or practice, and incense-for calmness and peace.
When you visit the Chuang Yen Monastery at Kent or the Temple of Enlightenment at Bronx, you are welcome to make those offerings. You can put water, fruits or flowers on the tables in front of the shrine. Vases and plates will be available at each of the halls. In the modern day, however, for safety reason and indoor air quality, most temples are not allowed to burn incense or candle inside the Kuan Yin Hall or the Great Buddha Hall. Instead, the longevity lights become a new alternative.
Chuang Yen Monastery offers the annual longevity lights. It runs year long with a year donation of $120 or for 3 years donation is $360. One can put up to 3 names or one family name on the light to make the offering. To apply for a new light or to renew an existing ones, please download and complete the Longevity Light Web Form, enclosed a check made payable to B.A.U.S. and mail it to Chuang Yen Monastery
2020 Route 301, Carmel, NY 10512
or if you wish to offer a light at the Temple of Enlightenment, please send them to
3070 Albany Crescent, Bronx, NY 10463
In the Sutra of Giving, it says, “Those who offer lamps, will possess the pure heavenly eyes and clear wisdom in the future.”
Avatamsaka sutra: “Offering Lamps can dispel all darknesses.”
Treasury of Bodhisattvas Sutra: “Offering 10,000 bright lamps to confess and extinguish hosts of negative karma and defilements.”
