When we pray to Lama Tsongkhapa, Vajrayogini, Manjushri or Setrap, we are propitiating the deity’s holy energy for a certain blessing. From person to person, our requests will of course differ – some people will ask to be blessed with protection or health, whilst others will request for wealth or spiritual attainments. What ultimately applies to everyone however, is that merits are needed for the Buddha to grant our wishes.
Merits can be collected in many ways but one of the fastest and most excellent ways is to make offerings to our Guru. Our Guru is an excellent source of immeasurable merits for our spiritual practice because of the qualities he possesses, which makes him a suitable recipient of offerings:
- He is a fully ordained monk
- In the case of His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche, he is also recognised as an incarnate high Lama of Gaden Monastery
- Our Guru whom we regard as the Buddha, is the most precious to us because he has taught us the Dharma and continually sought numerous ways to benefit others
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Making offerings to our Guru does not have to stop once we have received what we have requested for. After all, if we had received any form of kindness from Rinpoche or Kechara, would it not be good practice to repay their kindness? Gratitude as a practice is important because we want happiness for ourselves, and thinking of others is a good way to start such a practice.
Making offerings to our Guru even after we have received our request is also important in developing compassion – the best and easiest people to start with are those who have been the most kind to us. On top of that, making an offering is an excellent means of practising generosity. Thus, making offerings to our Guru not only generates great merit in itself, but becomes a spiritual practice of giving.
One of the most auspicious times to make offerings to our Guru is on his birthday, because that is the day he chose to take rebirth…and for Kechara, this day is 24th October! This year, the Kechara House Committee is raising RM30,000 towards a 3-ft Buddha statue and 14.5″ stupa, as well as a Dharma text, monk’s robes, monk’s staff and monk’s bowl to offer to Rinpoche.
Offering such items creates the causes towards achieving a Buddha’s body, speech and mind and further causes towards holding our vows and commitments with our Guru. If you wish to make a contribution towards the offering, or have further enquiries, please contact our Kechara House Front Desk at +603 7803 3908.
