HEAVY HAND ETCHED SET 7 BRASS 2\" TIBETAN BUDDHIST RITUAL OFFERING BOWLS NEPAL For Sale

SMALL BEAUTIFULLY HAND-ETCHED DESIGNTRADITIONAL SET OF 7 HEAVY BRASS TIBETAN BUDDHIST RITUAL OFFERING BOWLS SMALL 2\"

fundamental to your Buddhist shrine or altar

water if the first offering

I HOPE YOU ARE AWARE that these bowls are ritual items used on a Buddhist altar. I will not be responsible for any use other than water, which then is removed, bowls dried and stored until the next use. I have gotten really tired of people trying to use the bowls for salsa, etc. and then returning them as defective

\"Makingofferings helps us develop spiritual qualities as a result of theaccumulation of method and wisdom. Any act performed with a virtuousmotivation brings merits, and the purer the objects of our offering are,the greater the merits will be\"

as these are a custom design for my dealer in Oregon, I would be surprised if you found them elsewhere

brass bowls are HEAVY for their size and measure just a tinge less than 2 inches in diameter; 1\" in height

these bowls are thick and seem very sturdy, the heaviest of the bowls I carry

each bowl has been adorned with hand-etched designs, an interesting border and 3 lotus symbols spaced equidistantly aroundeach bowl

these brass bowls cost a few dollars more than the plain brass or copper bowls, due to the time the crafts person must spend doing the hand etching

etchinglines are thin and delicate

imported directly from Nepal

for some very basic information about setting up your home altar and about water offerings, please see below ***

Buy With Confidence: We are practicing Buddhists
We respect the importance of these religious materials
We use the same products that we sell

***

Drinking Water

The first offering is that of pure drinking water. It is offered with the thought that whatever benefit one accumulates may, for the present, bring about the annihilation of suffering through thirst among beings. Especially beings in realms such as the pretas, or hungry ghosts, may receive relief from the suffering of thirst. The offering is also made so that ultimately all beings may be permeated by loving kindness and compassion.

Settingup a Tibetan Buddhist altar does not need to be expensive orelaborate. Something as simple as a small statue may be a perfectreminder of your practice, or a simple set of offering bowls may beperfect. Most Tibetans have a seven bowl offering set, a butter lamp, astupa of some sort anda statue of Shakyamuni Buddha on their altar.Other deities are placed below him. \"The practice of making water offerings is a daily practice in Tibetan Buddhism. The bowls are filled in the morning and emptied at night as a way of increasing spiritual discipline, & invoking the blessings of the Buddhas & Bodhisattvas\".TheseNepalibrass bowls measure approximately 3 inches in diameter, rim torim and roughly 1 1/8th inches in height. Please see the picture below,right, with the red ruler. They can easily \"nest\" one within the otherand are easy to set up and handle. They are typically arranged in astraight line, right to left. I have found it is easiest to fill themusing a container with a spout, like a tea pot. PLEASE NOTE: thebowlsshould be emptied and dried at the end of your practice or the metalmay deteriorate.Also, this is the respectfulbehavior for handlingthese ritual objects. Whole books have been written about setting upshrines, making offerings and the meanings of all.

In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition it is customary to offer seven bowls of water which represent the seven limbs of prayer -- prostrating, offering, confession, rejoicing in the good qualities of oneself and others, requesting the Buddhas to remain in this world, beseeching them to teach others, and dedicating the merits.Objects to be Placed on the Altar 1.A statue or photo of Buddha and/ or Lamas (to represent the Body of a Buddha – a statue may be consecrated by a Lama and the face painted gold)2.A Dharma text (to represent the Speech of a Buddha)3.A small stupa (to represent the Mind of a Buddha)4.7 water bowls5.

Light and food

MAKING 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.

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.

Making OfferingsThere is no limitation to what can be offered, and there are many levels of offering. In general, one can offer any pleasing object, particularly objects pleasing to the five senses -- form, sound, smell, taste, and touch.In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition it is customary to offer seven bowls of water which represent the seven limbs of prayer -- prostrating, offering, confession, rejoicing in the good qualities of oneself and others, requesting the Buddhas to remain in this world, beseeching them to teach others, and dedicating the merits.Flowers, candles or butter lamps, and incense are also commonly offered. It is customary to offer a part of every meal on the altar before eating and a portion of tea before drinking.

Placing the Offerings on the Altar

If you have the space, place the offerings a little lower than the objects of refuge on your altar. When you awaken in the morning, it is customary to wash at least your face before approaching the altar to offer prostrations and then offerings -- this is a sign of respect for the objects represented there. One is making offerings as if one is accepting a dignitary or a great being into one\'s home, and it is important to be gracious and respectful.To offer water on your altar, you should have a minimum of seven bowls. Start with fresh water every day. The bowls should be clean. Pour a little water into each bowl before placing it on the altar. Place the bowls in a straight line, close together but not touching. The distance between the bowls is traditionally measured by the width of a grain of wheat.

Buy With Confidence:

We are practicing Buddhists
We respect the importance of these religious materials
We use the same products that we sell
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