Buddhist flower offerings

What it is

In Sri Lanka, worshippers dress in white and carry a tray of loose flower heads to the temple. They lay them in neat patterns on a long flower altar before a stupa, an image house or a bodhi tree, and recite a short verse in Pali. The verse says that the flowers will fade, as the body will. In Thailand the usual offering is a lotus bud with three incense sticks and a candle. In Myanmar, sprays of flowers are placed in vases at the planetary shrines around a pagoda.

Which flowers are used

The lotus is the flower most closely linked with the Buddha. It rises clean from muddy water, an image of the mind freed from attachment. Blue and white water lilies, jasmine and frangipani are common in Sri Lanka, together with the large pink flowers of the cannonball tree, which Sri Lankans call sal. In Thailand lotus buds are often sold with the outer petals folded back by hand into a neat pattern. Flowers should be fresh and fragrant, and offered without stalks or thorns.

When it happens

Offerings are made every day, but most of all on full moon days, which are days of observance in Theravada countries. The greatest is Vesak, the full moon of May, which marks the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. Temples are crowded from dawn, and the altars are heaped with lotus and water lily. In Thailand on such nights worshippers walk three times around the main hall of the temple holding flowers, incense and a lit candle.

How to take part

1. Buy flowers from the stalls at the temple gate. They are sold ready for offering.
2. Take off your shoes and hat before entering the temple grounds, and dress to cover shoulders and knees.
3. Lay the flowers on the altar with both hands, pause, and step back.

Good manners

• Do not smell the flowers before you offer them.
• Never pose with your back turned to a Buddha image, and do not point your feet at it.
• Walk around a stupa or bodhi tree clockwise.

The flowers

Sacred lotusThe pink aquatic flower sacred in Asia and grown for food, worship and beautyPlumeriaFragrant tropical tree with waxy, five-petaled flowers in many coloursArabian jasmineA small white jasmine with a strong, sweet scent, treasured in Asia for garlands and ceremonies

Also part of it, and being written: Nymphaea nouchali, Couroupita guianensis, Saraca asoca.

Sources and further reading

• Offering (Buddhism) on Wikipedia