Material: Iron. Gold-plated.

Size: Maximum width: 20 cm. Bottom diameter: 7 cm. Height: about 5.5 cm. Lotus lamp cup diameter: about 6 cm

Description:

In Tibetan Buddhism, ** lamp offering** (Tibetan: མཆོད་པའི་སྒྲོན་མ།, transliterated as "Cuo Pei Niema") is an important way of offering, symbolizing wisdom, light and merit, and has far-reaching religious significance and cultural influence. The origin of its status and usage can be described from the following aspects:

I. The religious significance and status of lamp offering

1. **Symbolizes wisdom and eliminates ignorance**

The core meaning of lamp offering is to symbolize the light of Buddha's wisdom. Buddhism believes that darkness represents ignorance, while light symbolizes wisdom. Lighting lamps means dispelling inner ignorance and lighting the path to liberation. Tibetan Buddhism emphasizes this point in particular, because wisdom is the key to realizing emptiness.

2. **Accumulation of merit and blessings**

Offering lamps is regarded as an important meritorious act. By offering lamps, believers pray for themselves and others, accumulate good karma, eliminate karmic obstacles, and create good causes for the next life. It is often mentioned in Tibetan Buddhist scriptures that the merit of offering lamps can bring health, longevity, wealth and wisdom.

3. **Offering the Three Jewels**

Offering lamps is one of the ways to offer to the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, expressing piety and gratitude. Lights not only offer to the Buddha, but also symbolize the transmission of light to all beings, embodying the spirit of altruism, which is highly consistent with the Mahayana spirit of Tibetan Buddhism.

4. **Important role in rituals**

In Tibetan Buddhist ceremonies, temple activities or personal practice, offering lamps is an indispensable ritual element. For example, on important religious festivals (such as the Tibetan New Year, Vesak Day, or the anniversary of Master Tsongkhapa), temples and believers will light a large number of butter lamps to create a solemn and sacred atmosphere.

2. The origin and history of offering lamps

1. **Records in Buddhist scriptures**

The tradition of offering lamps can be traced back to early Buddhism. According to scriptures such as the Agama Sutra and the Vinaya Vibhasha, when the Buddha was alive, believers had already begun to light lamps to offer to the Buddha and his teachings. For example, according to legend, a poor woman used her only oil to light a lamp to offer to the Buddha, and the light continued to shine, showing that the merits of sincere offerings far exceeded material value. This story has been widely circulated in Tibetan Buddhism and laid the religious foundation for offering lamps.

2. **Localization of Tibetan Buddhism**

When Buddhism was introduced to Tibet from India (about the 7th century), the custom of offering lamps was combined with Tibetan culture and gradually developed a unique style. Due to the cold climate in Tibet, **butter lamps** (fueled by butter made from yak milk) are often used instead of Indian vegetable oil lamps. Ghee lamps are not only practical, but also considered to symbolize eternal wisdom and Buddhism because of their stable and long-lasting flames.

3. **The influence of Bon religion**

Before Buddhism was introduced to Tibet, the local Bon religion (Bon) had the custom of lighting fires as offerings to gods. Buddhism absorbed some of the ritual elements of Bon religion and integrated lamps into the practice and rituals of Tibetan Buddhism, making it more local.

4. **The promotion of Master Tsongkhapa**

Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), the founder of the Gelugpa sect, systematically organized the rituals and practices of Tibetan Buddhism. As a simple and profound way of offering, lamps were further standardized and promoted. Tsongkhapa mentioned the importance of offering in the Lamrim, and lamps became a common practice in daily practice and temple activities.

III. How to use lamps

1. **Types of lamps**

- **Ghee lamps**: The most common form of lamps, using yak or goat milk as fuel, lit in metal or ceramic lamps.

- **Candles**: In modern Tibetan Buddhism, especially outside Tibet, candles are gradually being used, but butter lamps are still the main traditional lamp.

- **Modern electric lamps**: In some temples or urban areas, LED lamps or electric lamps are used as lamps for safety and convenience, but their symbolic meaning remains unchanged.

2. **Where to offer lamps**

- **Temple**: Lamps are usually placed in front of the altar, Buddha statue or pagoda in the Buddhist hall, ranging from a single lamp to hundreds of lamps.

- **Home**: Believers light lamps in front of the Buddha shrine or small altar at home as daily offerings.

- **Outdoor**: During important festivals or ceremonies, believers will light a large number of lamps in the temple courtyard, around the pagoda or in holy places (such as the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa), forming a spectacular sea of ​​lights.

3. **Rituals and methods of offering lamps**

- **Preparation before lighting lamps**: Believers will first clean their hands and the lamp to show respect for the offering. Put butter and cotton wicks in the lamp to ensure a stable flame.

- **Vows and prayers**: When lighting the lamps, believers usually recite prayers for offering lamps, such as the "Prayer for Offering Lamps" (there are special prayers in Tibetan Buddhism, such as "May this light illuminate ignorance"), and vow to dedicate the merits to all living beings.

- **Quantity and time**: The number of lamps to be offered depends on personal intentions, and is commonly 7, 21 or 108, symbolizing different religious meanings. The lights are usually lit for several hours or all night, especially during ceremonies.

- **Dedication of merit**: After lighting the lamps, believers will dedicate the merits to all living beings, praying for world peace and for all living beings to be free from suffering and gain happiness.

4. **Offering lamps on special occasions**

- **Ceremony and festivals**: For example, on the 25th day of the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar, the anniversary of Tsongkhapa's death, the temple will hold a grand lamp offering ceremony and light thousands of lamps.

- **Sacrifice and blessing**: Offering lamps is also often used to save the souls of the dead or to pray for the sick, symbolizing the light of wisdom to guide the souls of the dead or eliminate the suffering of illness.

- **Pilgrimage**: In holy places such as the Potala Palace or Mount Kailash, believers will light lamps beside the prayer path to express their piety.

IV. The culture and modern influence of offering lamps

1. **Cultural symbolism**

Offering lamps is not only a religious act, but also an important part of Tibetan culture. The warm light of butter lamps is closely related to Tibetan life and has become one of the symbols of Tibetan cultural identity. Many Tibetan literature, poetry and art works use light as an image to express wisdom and hope.

2. **Modern adaptation**

With the advancement of modernization, the form of offering lamps has changed. For example, believers outside Tibetan areas may use candles or electric lights, but their spiritual connotations remain unchanged. In addition, some temples and Buddhist groups have developed online lamp offering services that allow believers to light lamps and pray remotely.

3. **Ecological and safety considerations**

Although traditional butter lamps have cultural value, their large-scale use may produce smoke and dust, affecting the environment of the temple. Therefore, some temples have begun to adopt more environmentally friendly LED lamps and promote sustainable ways of offering lamps.

Conclusion

In Tibetan Buddhism, offering lamps is not only a religious ritual, but also a way of practice that connects wisdom, compassion and merit. Its origin combines the classic teachings of early Buddhism, Tibetan local culture and Bon elements, and has been systematized and promoted in the development of Tibetan Buddhism. Whether it is a grand ceremony in a temple or a simple offering in the homes of believers, offering lamps, with their warm light, carries the wish for wisdom, peace and liberation, and deeply affects the practice and culture of Tibetan Buddhism.