Fire Pujas: Smoke Offering, Smell Offering, & Fire Offering

Three kinds of fire pujas

The fire pujas, there are three major different fire-related pujas. One is called SANG, another is called SUR, and another one is JIN-SEIG. So. SANG, SUR, JIN-SEIG, three kinds of fire pujas. AND inside of each, there are many different kinds, but mainly there are three. The major principle of fire pujas is offering. You put the food and whatever ingredients in the fire. Fire burns it, so fire eats it. Then, it is totally consumed, so that is way of offering.

Offering to four categories of objects

So, all of them involve four objects, to whom you are making the offering. You are making the offering to Buddha and Bodhisattvas, and the deities that are one. Then you are making the offering to the protectors, and very high spiritual gods, that are number two, And you are offering to all sentient beings, that's number three. And you are offering to the ghosts, and hungry ghosts, then also the special being that you have negative karma with, like karmic debt to pay. So you are making offering to them, this is the fourth. So, to these four you are make offering. Or sometimes the fourth one we call it generous, the third one we call generosity, and the first and second one we call it offering, offer and give.

SANG: SMOKE OFFERING

The Smoke Offering" is also known as "The Pure Offering". It was developed in the period of Sakyamunni, and was introduced by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) to Tibet. At that time, The Smoke Offering got rid of many different kinds of evil. The Smoke Offering helped Buddhism prosper, so the people were able to live happily and healthily.

The fundamental principle of Vajrayana practice is to integrate compassion (Karuna) and enlightened wisdom (Paramita) in order to liberate all sentient beings from suffering. Every Dharma practice in Vajrayana always follows these two principles. The "Smoke Offering" was also introduced based on the above teaching. The basic essential spiritual power of The Smoke Offering is based on the Dharma prayers' truly pure heart of compassion.

Then extend the true heart of the prayers, to realize the suffering and needs of the sentient beings from the Six Realms who would like to demolish all of their sins. Also, to help liberate the bardos (those souls who are shapes of an inter-median state) depart from this world and be re-born in The Pure Land, or as a higher level being in order to reach enlightenment. As a result of very strong vows of compassion from the contributors of the offering and the dharma prayers, all of the Buddhas, Bodhisattva, Dharma protectors, Gods, and attained beings around the whole universe will automatically bless, support, protect and help you.

Besides grain, five colored beans, five colored clothes, fresh leaves from the pine tree, fruits, flowers, wheat, cookies and honey, the materials for "the Smoke Offering" also include hundred of precious herbs. The purified offerings are burned to smoke and contributed to all of the Buddha, Bodhisattva, Deities (Yiddams or Lineage masters), and Dharma Protectors.

The offering cloud and sweet dew (Nectar) transformed from the respect for the Buddha and supported by the Guru Rinpoche and Dharma protectors, and blessed by the Buddha, will satisfy 1080 kinds of evil beings, all kinds of sentient beings or dragons that bring illness to people. The offerings will also be given to all the beings in the world including their relatives and enemies.

After getting the smoke offering, all of the beings who received the offerings are liberated from suffering and pain, and reach the state of happiness and satisfaction, or reach to enlightenment. The contributors of the offerings and prayers extended their truly pure heart of compassion to give the smoke offering, and as a result the beings who were blessed by the offering, will have their disasters and obstacles either eliminated or turned into luck, peace or wealth. Many human diseases will be alleviated or cured, sins will be spiritually purified, disputes with foes will be eliminated, bad luck or sadness will turn to good fortune or peace, and all of ones undertakings or wishes will be supported and realized.

One should practice the "The Smoke Offering" frequently when you moving into a new house, or suffer any form of disaster, disease, unruly kids, lack of harmony in the family, trouble on the job, poor mental condition, or a wish to run away from misfortune, and have the desire to be good or better, or confess sins and pray for fortune, wisdom, etc. The Smoke Offering will benefit not only ones self, but also others and bring boundless merits.

SUR: SMELL 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 as incense. The resulting fragrant smoke is offered to the objects of refuge and shared with all sentient beings.

Tiny, high-pitched cymbals called tingshas may be struck while the offering is burned; these call sentient beings, especially hungry ghosts (pretas), to share it and satisfy their hunger. Partaking of this blessing purifies their karma and allows them to pass on to a blessed rebirth. The practice may be long or short, as time and circumstances allow, and generally does not require initiation from a lama. The merit 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 the bardo state. Sur offerings may also be done to dispel negative or harmful influences, such as ghosts.

JIN-SEIGN: FIRE OFFERING

The JIN-SEIGN is strictly, it is related with all, but strictly concentrating on the deities. So , JIN-SEIGN you can't burn anything. There has to be special ingredients according to each different kind of JIN-SEIGN. And it has to be done by the priest, not by the public. Public can not touch the JIN-SEIGN ingredient. So, only the priests have to handle the JIN-SEIGN. And it has to be a particular ingredient, not anything, not just anything like this. (Note: there is a SUR offering at the same day and place) Here is everything, not like that. It has to be specific, and it has to be handled and offered according to the prayer.

Then this particular ingredient has to be offered, then that has to be offered. Then, when other one comes, then that one has to be offered. Normally, there are four kind of JIN-SEIGN, that four jinseks are performed to accomplish the enlightened activities of pacifying, enriching, magnetizing, and wrathful. Each jinsek is performed by a different lama and corresponds with specific colors, directions and energies. and sometimes combination of all four. So, each one have their own ingredients you have to follow. And it is not handle by lay people. It has to be priest, or ordained, or even sometimes not ordained, but has to be priest.

Through the Pacifying Jinsek (Zhiway Jinsek) imbalances of physical elements that result in sickness are healed; negative energy for us personally and the world in general are removed; karmic defilements of countless lifetimes are pacified and we are liberated from unwanted circumstances.

Through the Enriching Jinsek (Gyaybay Jinsek), longevity, merit, glory, wealth, splendor, powerful influence, fame, good reputation, wisdom and all enlightened qualities are enriched and expanded.

Through the Magnetizing Jinsek (Wang-gi Jinsek), all qualities and beings of the three realms of cyclic existence are brought under one's control: any worldly desirable qualities and glorious qualities of the Dharma path, such as meditative experience, realization and enlightened wisdom qualities are magnetized and brought under one's control.

Through the Wrathful Jinsek (Drakpo Jinsek), all enemies, obstructers and those who bring harm both to worldly life and the path of enlightenment, are eliminated and liberated.

The benefits of performing jinseks, or even making a connection with them, are immense, both relatively and ultimately.

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