Special Topics
The Origin and Transformation of Lamp Offerings
At the end of a year, people often exchange New Year wishes with their family members and friends through cards, phone calls, and messages. During this period, Buddhists take the opportunity to visit temples to make lamp offerings, hoping that, through the merit of offering lamps and the power of Buddhas' and Bodhisattvas' blessings, the New Year wishes they made will come true. At the end of each year, in major cities like Taipei, Hong Kong, New York, Frankfurt, and Paris, the street...
The Diverse Forms of Lamp offerings
Prior to the prevalent use of electricity, lamp offerings were all in the forms of candles and oil lamps. Once electric lamps were invented, they soon replaced the traditional candle or oil-based lamps, since they are much less dangerous than the ones with flames and can be available in various shapes. Nowadays, electric lamp offerings are commonly arranged in the following forms: 1. Wall mounted style Lamp offerings are arranged in an overall rectangular pattern, usually embedded in or...
The Design of Lamp Offerings at Dharma Drum Mountain
Upon entering the Grand Buddha Hall at Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education at Jinshan District in Taiwan, the visitors won’t find traditional red or golden lamp offerings commonly seen in other Buddhist monasteries. Instead, what greets their eyes are the Three Buddhas, Amitabha Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Medicine Buddha, enshrined in the center of the Hall, as well as the Buddhist niches on both sides of the hall. Embedded within the white walls besi...
Similarities and Differences in Light Offering in Different Countries
Since the spread of Buddhism beyond India, different forms of light offerings have developed in response to local customs in different regions, along with the related rituals and festivals. Let us visit Taiwan, Tibet, Thailand, Korea, and Japan to see how the practice of offering light has varied historically and geographically. Taiwan ─ offering light to the Buddha during the Lantern Festival and on the Buddha's Birth day The Buddhist practice of light offering in Taiwa...
Perspectives on Lamp Lighting Across Different Cultures
The radiance emitted by lamps is adored by people worldwide. Consequently, numerous religions or cultures around the world host lamp festivals. Examples include the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah within the Jewish community, as well as the five-day festival of Diwali in India and the Tihar in Nepal. These festivals all employ the act of lighting lamps to convey either a memorial or celebratory significance. The flame of lights symbolizes brightness. In addition to Buddhism, variou...
Commonly Asked Questions on Light Offering
Q: Why do Buddhists offer lights during the Lunar New Year? A: Offering lights to Buddha at the beginning of a year is intended as a form of praying to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for safety, well-being, and a bright future in the New Year. During family reunions on the Lunar New Year holidays, it is customary for Chinese people to visit temples and offer lights as a family activity. By offering lights to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, people cultivate a mind of devotional offering and rev...