Significance of Sacred offerings
Sacred offering encompasses various rites and practices across different religious traditions, highlighting the significance of gifts and tributes in worship. In Buddhism, it includes intangible gifts symbolizing spiritual progression, while Hinduism entails items presented during rituals for divine favor. Jainism emphasizes acts of worship to appease deities, and South Asian customs integrate offerings to sacred beings. Similarly, practices in Vaishnavism, Purana, and other faiths involve presenting items like flowers, food, and scents, reflecting devotion and reverence towards the divine.
Synonyms: Religious offering, Divine gift, Sacrificial offering, Sacrifice, Oblation, Consecration, Tribute
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Sacred offerings'
Sacred offering in Buddhism encompasses ritual gifts to deities, foods prepared for the Buddha, and intangible gifts like joy and enlightenment, reflecting devotion, gratitude, and a desire for blessings within spiritual practices and ceremonies.
From: The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) The food and delicacies prepared by Sunidha and Vassakara, offered to the Buddha and the bhikkhus as a gesture of respect and gratitude.[1] (2) Food and items given to monks and the Buddha, which was a practice observed by the characters in the story to earn merit.[2]
From: The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) Gifts made to deities or spiritual beings, often central to rituals that seek favor or blessings.[3] (2) A ritual act of providing gifts to deities or spirits as a sign of devotion and respect.[4]
From: Buddhacarita
(1) Rituals performed to honor the spirits and deities for good fortune.[5]
From: The gods of northern Buddhism
(1) Items and rituals presented during ceremonies to honor deities and commemorate significant events in Buddhism.[6]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary by Hsuan Hua)
(1) Items such as the milk of a white ox and various food products placed around the bodhimanda as offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.[7]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) Special offerings including joy, equanimity, and supreme enlightenment, representing intangible gifts in the spiritual practice.[8]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) Gifts and tributes made by devotees to Buddhas and monks, reflecting reverence and support for the monastic community.[9]
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) Ritual gifts presented to deities or enlightened beings as an expression of respect, gratitude, and devotion.[10]
Hindu concept of 'Sacred offerings'
In Hinduism, a Sacred offering encompasses various ritual items, including food and flowers, presented to deities during worship to invoke blessings, enhance spiritual merit, and express devotion, forming an essential part of religious practices.
From: The Skanda Purana
(1) Gifts such as curd-rice and other items made during rituals for pleasing deities and ancestors.[11] (2) Items, including water and seeds, which are symbolically placed by the donor as part of the ritualistic offering.[12] (3) Gifts or tributes made to deities as a part of worshiping rituals.[13] (4) Gifts made to deities and wise persons during worship, such as garments and ornaments.[14] (5) Items presented during worship as a form of devotion to deities, symbolizing reverence and gratitude.[15]
From: The Padma Purana
(1) The rituals performed by Somasharman which involved various oblations to please the gods.[16] (2) Ritual items presented to deities, showcasing devotion and respect towards the divine.[17] (3) Items presented during rituals that are considered holy and intended for the deities.[18] (4) Items presented to deities as acts of devotion during religious observances, especially on significant days like Ekadashi.[19] (5) Items or food provided to deities during rituals as an act of devotion and worship.[20]
From: The Agni Purana
(1) Various items such as ghee, fruits, and flowers presented during rituals to gain the favor of deities.[21] (2) Items or foods presented with piety to deities as part of religious rituals.[22] (3) Items or substances offered during religious rituals, often intended to appease deities or spirits.[23] (4) Items sacrificed to deities, such as grains, flowers, or clarified butter, deemed essential in rituals.[24] (5) Various items presented to deities, including food and symbolic items during worship.[25]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The items presented to the gods and guests, including water, fruits, and clarified butter, reflecting acts of worship and respect.[26] (2) Items or actions dedicated to deities as a form of worship, traditionally free from harm to living beings.[27] (3) Rituals and tributes made to the gods as a means to ensure their favor, including sacrifices, homas, and veneration.[28] (4) Ritualistic gifts made to appease spirits and divine beings, which include ablutions, sacrifices, and reverence.[29] (5) The items presented to the gods during rituals and sacrifices, which are essential for worship and maintaining the universe.[30]
From: The Shiva Purana
(1) Items such as flowers, fruits, and scents presented during worship to honor and invoke favor from the deity.[31] (2) Gifts of various items, including food and materials, presented during worship to honor the deities.[32] (3) Gifts and offerings made to deities, believed to bring blessings and prosperity.[33] (4) Items presented in worship as a gesture of respect and service to the divine.[34]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki
(1) Items presented in worship and rituals to honor deities.[35] (2) Ritual items and sacrifices that sustain Ravana's powerful presence, as he is compared to a flame on an altar.[36] (3) The rituals performed in times of yore that had led to the emergence of magical fruits and herbs.[37]
From: The Brahmanda Purana
(1) Items designated for use in religious ceremonies that possess positive characteristics for enhancing spiritual outcomes.[38] (2) Items deemed pure and suitable for religious practices, emphasizing their significance in ceremonies like Shraddha and sacrifices.[39] (3) Items or acts dedicated to deities or ancestors that hold spiritual significance, particularly during the Shraddha rituals.[40]
From: The Linga Purana
(1) Items presented to deities which are believed to carry spiritual significance.[41] (2) Items presented in rituals to honor and appease the deities, thereby seeking blessings.[42] (3) Items such as flowers, scents, and food presented to the deity as part of worship.[43]
From: The Markandeya Purana
(1) Items such as food, water, and perfumes dedicated to the Pitris during rituals.[44] (2) The rituals and sacrifices performed to seek divine mercy and blessings during King Harishcandra's tribulations.[45] (3) Gifts or items given to deities or spiritual leaders as part of religious practices aimed at attaining blessings or merit.[46]
From: The Nilamata Purana
(1) Food or items offered to deities during rituals, often intended to seek blessings or forgiveness.[47]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) A ceremonial gift or respect shown to deities, which the muni neglected.[48]
From: The Gautami Mahatmya
(1) Ritual gifts or sacrifices dedicated to deities, often consisting of symbolic items like food or animals.[49]
From: Lalitopakhyana (Lalita Mahatmya)
(1) Materials such as food or flowers presented in the context of worship to please deities.[50]
From: The Brahma Purana
(1) Items such as scents, flowers, and food offered to honor the deity during rituals.[51]
From: The Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) Items presented during worship, such as flowers, food, and incense, that hold spiritual significance and are meant for the deities.[52]
From: Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra
(1) Ritual gifts presented to deities during Vedic ceremonies, intended for different purposes such as health, wealth, and progeny.[53] (2) Items presented to deities during the rituals, often including food and libations.[54]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Items or acts presented to gods in the form of sacrifices, which are essential for fulfilling divine expectations.[55]
From: Gautama Dharmasutra
(1) Items offered to deities in a ritualistic context as a form of worship or atonement, vital in various Hindu practices.[56]
From: Paraskara-grihya-sutra
(1) The items presented in religious rituals to divine beings, which are believed to invoke blessings.[57]
From: Khadira-grihya-sutra
(1) Various items such as food and water that are presented to the deities and ancestors during the ceremonies.[58]
From: Prem Sagar (English translation)
(1) Items such as sandal, rice, flowers, and consecrated food provided during the worship of the sages.[59] (2) The acts of devotion that the inhabitants of Mathura were engaged in, which Krishna interrupted by seeking food.[60]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) Items presented in worship or devotion, considered holy and respectful in religious practices.[61]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Items brought as a form of respect or devotion in a ritual context.[62]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) The various items, including flowers and incense, offered during worship that signify devotion.[63]
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) Items presented in a religious ceremony that hold significant meaning and are offered to divine beings.[64] (2) Victims and various items offered during the sacrifice to deities, aiming for spiritual benefit and attainment.[65] (3) Various offerings made during the sacrifices, including cakes for Agni, Soma, Savitri, and curds.[66]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) Gifts or rituals performed in temples seeking divine favor, prominently featured in the context of the narrative's worship practices.[67] (2) A practice deeply embedded in the ritualistic traditions of Hinduism, pivotal in seeking divine favor and blessings.[68]
From: Jarasandhavadha Mahakavyam
(1) Items presented by the king to the Brahmins, symbolizing devotion and respect, which are said to warrant divine favor.[69]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) Gifts made during worship, crucial for establishing a connection with the divine and expected to be presented with care and devotion to please God.[70] (2) Items presented during worship intended to please the God, such as flowers, grains, and jewels.[71]
From: Narayaniya (Narayaneeyam)
(1) Items and rituals carried out in reverence to the God during the sacrifice, highlighting the importance of worship.[72]
From: Manasara (English translation)
(1) Items or consumables presented during rituals that hold religious significance and are meant for deities.[73]
From: Sushruta Samhita, Volume 6: Uttara-tantra
(1) Items or tributes presented to deities or spirits in hopes of receiving favor or appeasement.[74]
From: Brihat Samhita
(1) Ritualistic practices conducted to appease Devas and dignitaries, including offerings like cooked rice and perfumed smoke before construction.[75]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 1: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory
(1) Items or gestures presented as part of the worship ritual to the Goddess.[76]
Jain concept of 'Sacred offerings'
In Jainism, Sacred offering signifies the worship and penance performed by villagers to appease deities or spirits, particularly following calamities, reflecting their reverence and desire for protection and blessings.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) Acts of worship and penance carried out by the villagers in hopes of appeasing the displeased deities or spirits after the calamities.[77]
The concept of 'Sacred offerings' in local and regional sources
Sacred offering embodies devotion and service, exemplified by Radha's offering to Krishna, as well as ritual gifts honoring sacred beings and Buddha's relics, deeply embedded in Kapisha's cultural practices.
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) The act of Radha offering the Vida to Krishna, illustrating themes of devotion and loving service to God.[78]
From: Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang)
(1) Ritual gifts presented in reverence to the sacred beings and Buddha's relics, integrally woven into the culture of Kapisha.[79]