Significance of Offering flowers
Synonyms: Giving flowers, Floral tribute
In Dutch: Bloemen aanbieden; In Finnish: Kukkien tarjoaminen
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Offering flowers'
Offering flowers in Buddhism symbolizes devotion, reverence, and the generation of good karma. It serves to honor the Buddha and represents acts of gratitude, spiritual awareness, and respect towards Buddha's teachings, enhancing one's spiritual merit.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Flowers used in worship, noted for their beauty, rich perfumes, softness (manju), and flexibility.[1] (2) Flowers that the gods rain down as offerings to the Buddha, symbolizing devotion and reverence.[2]
From: Lotus Sutra
(1) One of the numerous ways to show reverence and respect towards the Buddha and the teachings, which yields additional merit.[3]
From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Sutra of the Great Vow)
(1) One of the acts performed by the Brahman woman to generate good karma in remembrance of her deceased mother.[4]
From: Guhyagarbha Tantra (with Commentary)
(1) A metaphor signifying the release or sharing of one's awareness or consciousness in a spiritual context.[5] (2) A metaphorical expression indicating the act of presenting one's awareness as an offering in spiritual practice.[6]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) The act performed by Sumana to honor the Buddha, representing devotion and the prioritization of good actions.[7]
Hindu concept of 'Offering flowers'
Offering flowers in Hinduism symbolizes devotion, purity, and respect, performed during rituals like Margashirsha and Gauritritiyavrata, to honor deities and celestial beings while seeking spiritual merit and purifying oneself through prayer and hymns.
From: Skanda Purana
(1) The act of presenting flowers in worship during the month of Margashirsha, which is said to bring significant merit.[8] (2) A ritual act performed by Dhundhumara, which included the presentation of flowers to honor the deity at the Linga.[9] (3) A common form of worship involving the presentation of flowers to the deity to earn spiritual merit.[10]
From: Agni Purana
(1) The act of offering flowers during the worship, symbolizing beauty and devotion to the deity.[11] (2) A practice undertaken post-bathing with hymns to Lord Vishnu to destroy sins.[12]
From: Padma Purana
(1) Ritualistically presenting flowers during worship, symbolizing devotion and purity in Hindu practices.[13]
From: Matsya Purana (critical study)
(1) A practice performed by devotees while chanting mantras during the Gauritritiyavrata.[14]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) A common practice in worship, where various flowers are presented to the Devi as tokens of respect and love.[15]
From: Sankhayana-grihya-sutra
(1) The act of presenting flowers as a ritual gesture of devotion and respect to the celestial beings.[16]
From: Varahi Tantra (English Study)
(1) The act of presenting flowers as a gesture of devotion during the worship of a deity.[17]