1. Expression of gratitude

Making offerings to the Sangha is primarily an expression of gratitude. Monastics dedicate their lives to the study, practice, and dissemination of the Buddha's teachings. By renouncing worldly pleasures and devoting themselves to a life of discipline and contemplation, they preserve and propagate the Dharma. Lay practitioners, in turn, offer material support as a token of appreciation for the spiritual guidance and teachings they receive. This mutual exchange fosters a sense of interconnectedness and mutual support within the Buddhist community.

2. Accumulation of merit

In Buddhism, the act of giving, or Dana, is a fundamental virtue that generates merits. Offering to the Sangha is considered an especially meritorious act because it supports those who are committed to living a life of virtue and wisdom. This act of generosity is believed to bring spiritual benefits to the giver, such as a peaceful mind, spiritual growth, and favorable rebirths. The merit accumulated through such offerings aids in the attainment of enlightenment.

3. Support for the continuation of the teachings

The sustenance of the Sangha is vital for the preservation and continuation of the Buddha’s teachings. Monks and nuns rely on the generosity of laypeople for their basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, and medicine. By making offerings, lay practitioners ensure that the Sangha can continue their monastic duties without distraction. This support allows the monastics to focus on their spiritual practices and the teaching of the Dharma, thereby ensuring that the wisdom of Buddhism remains accessible to future generations. 

4. Cultivation of compassion and generosity

Engaging in the practice of making offerings helps cultivate the virtues of compassion and generosity. It encourages individuals to think beyond their own needs and to act selflessly for the benefit of others. This practice not only benefits the Sangha but enriches the giver’s own spiritual journey. By regularly making offerings, one develops a habit of generosity, which is essential for overcoming greed and attachment—key obstacles on the path to enlightenment.

“Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness”
- Dalai Lama

5. Creating a harmonious community

Offerings to the Sangha help create a harmonious and supportive community. The act of giving fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose among lay practitioners and monastics. It strengthens the bonds within the community, creating an environment where spiritual practice and mutual support can flourish. This sense of community is essential for the collective growth and well-being of all members, both lay and ordained.

6. Symbolic of renunciation

For lay practitioners, making offerings can also serve as a symbolic act of renunciation. By giving up material possessions and offering them to the Sangha, individuals practice letting go of attachments and desires. This act serves as a reminder of the impermanence of material wealth and the importance of spiritual abundance. It helps practitioners develop non-attachment, which is crucial for progressing on the path to enlightenment. 

7. Recognition of dependent arising

One of the profound teachings of Buddhism is the concept of dependent arising, which underscores the interconnectedness and interdependence of all phenomena. The money and resources that individuals offer to the Sangha are not solely the result of their own efforts. They are the culmination of a vast web of factors, including the hard work and sacrifices of their parents, the education they received, and their own diligent efforts, often fraught with hardships.

Understanding this interconnectedness adds depth to the act of giving. It is a recognition that one’s success and resources are not entirely one’s own but are dependent on many conditions and the efforts of many people. By making offerings, practitioners acknowledge this interdependence and transform the often ego-driven pursuit of wealth into a meaningful spiritual practice.

8. Making offerings as spiritual grounding

The practice of making offerings to the Sangha is a profound and multifaceted tradition that enriches both the giver and the recipient. It cultivates compassion, generosity, and a sense of community. By offering to the Sangha, one is expressing gratitude for the guidance and wisdom provided by the monastic community, strengthening the bond between lay practitioners and the Sangha.

9. A story of offering to the Sangha

One extremely poor person gave medicine and drinks to four monks; they were not arhats, just ordinary monks. In the next life, that person was born as a very powerful and wealthy person. The karmic cause was very simple—just giving medicine and drinks to four monks—but because karma expands, the result will be experienced over many lifetimes. Hence, for lay practitioners to offer to the powerful object of the Sangha with the motivation of bodhicitta, the result is even more powerful. You will receive limitless skies of merit because you are thinking of benefiting numberless sentient beings and bringing them to enlightenment.

10. Pores of the Guru

Offering to the Sangha is the same as offering to the pores of the Guru, where “pores” does not mean the body of the Guru but the disciples of the Guru. Thus, no matter how many monks there are, no matter how much money you are offering, you will get the same merit as actually having offered to numberless buddhas, Dharma and Sangha. You collect the same merit as having made offering to them.

Join us for Buddha’s Joyful Day! According to the Ullambana Sutra, one who makes offering to the noble Sanghas on Buddha’s Joyful Day can accumulate Vast merits for parents of this life and past seven livetimes. Offering of meals and daily necessities will be made to more than 200 Venerables from the following temples. This programme will be happening on 18 Aug 2024 (Sun).

To learn more about our Ullambana Festival programmes, click here.