The water offerings
What they are
Water offerings represent an important and profound spiritual practice in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition; in particular, they serve to cultivate generosity, reduce attachment, and eliminate mental poisons. Why is water used? Because it is abundant in nature and does not trigger emotional reactions of selfishness or possessiveness; this fosters and facilitates the act of giving - of making an offering.
What they look like
Seven small bowls are used for water offerings, symbolizing seven types of offerings made to masters and Buddhas: drinking water, water for cleansing, flowers, incense, light, perfume, and food. Naturally, one can make the specific offerings associated with the items listed; however, for the sake of simplicity - and due to the qualities explained earlier - water alone is used, while one imagines (visualizes) offering the most precious things we possess.
How to perform the practice
Specific instructions govern how the offering bowls are used - from how they are positioned and filled to how they are cleaned and put away at the end of the day. Each individual action holds a precise symbolic meaning on an inner level. Lama Michel Rinpoche - following the guidance of great masters - emphasizes that the most important aspect is not the execution itself, but rather the attitude and the internal process that unfolds during the ritual. Therefore, even if it is not possible to make the offerings in the traditional manner, it remains important to cultivate a sense of gratitude and generosity toward sacred beings, all buddhas, and, ultimately, all beings in general.
