HEAVY HAND ETCHED SET OF 7 BRASS TIBETAN BUDDHIST RITUAL 2" OFFERING BOWLS NEPAL

Description

BEAUTIFULLY HAND-ETCHED DESIGN TRADITIONAL SET OF 7 HEAVY BRASS TIBETAN BUDDHIST RITUAL OFFERING BOWLS 2"
traditional set of 7 offering bowls for water (always empty and DRY each bowl after use)
fundamental to your Buddhist shrine or altar
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Making offerings helps us develop spiritual qualities as a result of the accumulation of method and wisdom. Any act performed with a virtuous motivation brings merits, and the purer the objects of our offering are, the greater the merits will be"
as these are a custom design for my dealer in Oregon, I would be surprised if you found them elsewhere
brass bowls are HEAVY and measure 2 inches in diameter; 7/8" in height
these bowls are thick and seem very sturdy, the heaviest of the bowls I carry
each bowl has been adorned with hand-etched designs, an interesting border and 3 lotus symbols spaced equidistantly around each bowl
these brass bowls cost a few dollars more than the plain brass or copper bowls, due to the time the crafts person must spend doing the hand etching
etching lines are thin and delicate
imported directly from Nepal
for some very basic information about setting up your home altar and about water offerings, please see below
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We are practicing Buddhists
We respect the importance of these religious materials
We use the same products that we sell
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Drinking Water
The first offering is that of pure drinking water. It is offered with the thought that whatever benefit one accumulates may, for the present, bring about the annihilation of suffering through thirst among beings. Especially beings in realms such as the pretas, or hungry ghosts, may receive relief from the suffering of thirst. The offering is also made so that ultimately all beings may be permeated by loving kindness and compassion.
Setting up a Tibetan Buddhist altar does not need to be expensive or elaborate.  Something as simple as a small statue may be a perfect reminder of your practice, or a simple set of offering bowls may be perfect.  Most Tibetans have a seven bowl offering set, a butter lamp, a stupa of some sort and a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha on their altar.  Other deities are placed below him.
"The practice of making water offerings is a daily practice in Tibetan Buddhism. The bowls are filled in the morning and emptied at night as a way of increasing spiritual discipline, & invoking the blessings of the Buddhas & Bodhisattvas".
These Nepali brass bowls measure approximately 3 inches in diameter, rim to rim and roughly 1 1/8th inches in height. Please see the picture below, right, with the red ruler. They can easily "nest" one within the other and are easy to set up and handle.  They are typically arranged in a straight line, right to left.  I have found it is easiest to fill them using a container with a spout, like a tea pot.  PLEASE NOTE:  the bowls should be emptied and dried at the end of your practice or the metal may deteriorate.  Also, this is the respectful behavior for handling these ritual objects.  Whole books have been written about setting up shrines, making offerings and the meanings of all.
In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition it is customary to offer seven bowls of water which represent
the seven limbs of prayer
-- prostrating, offering, confession, rejoicing in the good qualities of oneself and others, requesting the Buddhas to remain in this world, beseeching them to teach others, and dedicating the merits.
Objects to be Placed on the Altar
1.
A statue or photo of Buddha and/ or Lamas (to represent the Body of a Buddha – a statue may be consecrated by a Lama and the face painted gold)
2.
A Dharma text (to represent the Speech of a Buddha)
3.
A small stupa (to represent the Mind of a Buddha)
4.
7 water bowls
5.
Light and food
M
AKING OFFERINGS
is part of the practice of Buddhism, and certain offerings are apparent on every shrine that is done in the traditional way. However, these offerings are much more than a ritualistic system and form, they are a viable extension of the commitment to serve all beings.
The making of offerings is an antidote to the pattern of attachment and greed. There is a material aspect to offerings, where a person offers from his or her possessions something particularly valued. Or someone may symbolically offer the totality of their possessions with the thought of bringing about benefit for all sentient beings, that the material deprivation of all beings may be remedied and their perfection of generosity take place. In general, offerings on a shrine are in a set of seven, in seven bowls, and there are specific meanings for each of the seven offerings.
Making Offerings
There is no limitation to what can be offered, and there are many levels of offering. In general, one can offer any pleasing object, particularly objects pleasing to the five senses -- form, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition it is customary to offer seven bowls of water which represent
the seven limbs of prayer
-- prostrating, offering, confession, rejoicing in the good qualities of oneself and others, requesting the Buddhas to remain in this world, beseeching them to teach others, and dedicating the merits.
Flowers, candles or butter lamps, and incense are also commonly offered. It is customary to offer a part of every meal on the altar before eating and a portion of tea before drinking.
Placing the Offerings on the Altar
If you have the space, place the offerings a little lower than the objects of refuge on your altar. When you awaken in the morning, it is customary to wash at least your face before approaching the altar to offer prostrations and then offerings -- this is a sign of respect for the objects represented there. One is making offerings as if one is accepting a dignitary or a great being into one's home, and it is important to be gracious and respectful.
To offer water on your altar, you should have a minimum of seven bowls. Start with fresh water every day. The bowls should be clean. Pour a little water into each bowl before placing it on the altar. Place the bowls in a straight line, close together but not touching. The distance between the bowls is traditionally measured by the width of a grain of wheat.
Buy With Confidence:
We are practicing Buddhists
We respect the importance of these religious materials
We use the same products that we sell
USA-based
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