- Sur offering
A sur offering is a
Tibetan Buddhist practice in which a mixture of flour, sweets and dairy products, sometimes with additional valuable or aromatic substances, is consecrated and placed in a fire or burned asincense . The resulting fragrant smoke is offered to the objects ofrefuge and shared with all sentient beings.Tiny, high-pitched cymbals called
tingsha s may be struck while the offering is burned; these call sentient beings, especially hungry ghosts (preta s), to share it and satisfy their hunger. Partaking of this blessing purifies theirkarma and allows them to pass on to a blessedrebirth .The practice may be long or short, as time and circumstances allow, and generally does not require initiation from a
lama . Themerit of the practice is dedicated to the benefit of deceased persons or animals, especially during the 49 days after death, during which they are believed to be in thebardo state. Sur offerings may also be done to dispel negative or harmful influences, such asghosts .External links
* [http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/advice/tsunami.asp Advice from Lama Zopa on helping disaster victims]
* [http://www.khandro.net/nature_fire_deities.htm General discussion on Khandro.net of fire and smoke offerings]
* [http://www.tibetantreasures.com/tthtml/ttmerch/suroffering.htm Tibetan Treasures page with sur offering supplies and teaching]
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