040 Regarding the offering of lamps and smoke offerings

040 Regarding Offering Lamps and Incense

What are the benefits of offering lamps and incense?

Disciple asks: Venerable Master, what are the benefits of offering lamps and incense?

Venerable Master’s reply:

Lamps represent light. The true meaning of lighting lamps is to remind every sentient being that they all possess the luminous Buddha-nature. When lighting lamps, we remind ourselves that our luminous Buddha-nature should manifest. This is how we tell ourselves. Secondly, it is an offering to the Buddha. Whatever cause is created will yield a corresponding effect. When facing a dark age, by constantly offering lamps and illuminating the darkness, one will also be in the light!

Similarly, in the intermediate state (bardo), there will also be light, and one will be able to see the way! It can also benefit sentient beings who rely on light… etc. Therefore, the merits and benefits of lighting lamps are numerous! It is certain to be helpful in this life, the intermediate state, and future lives!

Regarding incense offerings, Buddhist scriptures mention that beings in the hungry ghost realm and the intermediate state can only feed on fragrance; they cannot consume ordinary food. They can see it but cannot eat it because they lack a physical body. Therefore, they can be satisfied through their sense of smell. Incense offerings can benefit such beings, thus accumulating our merits and virtues. If there are grievances or debts, these can be resolved through this practice. This is a short-term benefit; in the future, we will be able to guide these beings, and because of the good karma created, we will receive their gratitude.

Of course, we do not perform incense offerings for the sake of others’ gratitude, but it will be repaid directly or indirectly. Incense offerings perfectly encompass offering to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas above and giving to all sentient beings in the six realms below.