Difference between revisions of "Serkem: Libation Offering"
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| − | The [[word]] serkem is an honorific term for [[offering]] libation. Kem is an old term for [[alcohol]], an [[alcohol]] container or [[offering]] of [[alcohol]] from a wooden jug or from a container. When the kem is poured into a [[bowl]] or a cup made of or plated with {{Wiki|gold}} (ser), then the [[offering]] becomes serkem. Similarly, when one makes a special [[offering]] of [[alcohol]] to an important figure or [[divinity]], it is also called serkem or golden libation. It is an honorific term indicating that one is [[offering]] the best [[alcohol]] in the best container. | + | The [[word]] [[serkem]] is an honorific term for [[offering]] libation. [[Kem]] is an old term for [[alcohol]], an [[alcohol]] container or [[offering]] of [[alcohol]] from a wooden jug or from a container. When the [[kem]] is poured into a [[bowl]] or a cup made of or plated with {{Wiki|[[gold]]}} ([[ser]]), then the [[offering]] becomes [[serkem]]. Similarly, when one makes a special [[offering]] of [[alcohol]] to an important figure or [[divinity]], it is also called [[serkem]] or [[golden libation]]. It is an honorific term indicating that one is [[offering]] the best [[alcohol]] in the best container. |
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| − | + | What should one think of while [[offering]] [[serkem]]? | |
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| − | In the most common marchang liturgy [[Bhutanese]] use, the [[offering]] is made to all [[gurus]] [[including]] both the immediate [[root guru]] and the [[gurus]] in the [[lineage]], to all different [[divinities]] mentioned in [[tantric]] texts, to ḍākini and [[ḍāka]] [[spiritual]] [[beings]] who help [[Buddhist practitioners]] and reside in powerful {{Wiki|holy}} site, to all the [[dharma protector]] [[deities]] led by | + | When one offers [[serkem]], one takes the container of [[alcohol]] and blesses it by means of [[meditation]] and [[chanting]] of the [[mantra]] ‘[[Oṃ]] Aḥ [[Huṃ]]’. Om turns everything into a great expanse of [[emptiness]], |
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| + | [[Ah]] converts the materials, in [[full awareness]] of the [[state of emptiness]], into fantastic [[offerings]] of [[nectar]] and | ||
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| + | [[Huṃ]] turns the [[nectar]] into all kinds of [[pleasant]] [[offerings]] and distributes them to deserving recipients. | ||
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| + | In this way, one makes the serkem [[offering]] to all the [[Buddhas]], [[bodhisattvas]] and [[sentient beings]]. | ||
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| + | The [[Bhutanese]] use written liturgies for [[offering]] serkem. The two most common [[serkem]] in [[Bhutan]] are [[Degé serkem]], in which one offers [[serkem]] to eight classes of [[spirits]]. The [[world]] of powerful {{Wiki|non-human}} [[spirits]] is classified into eight categories and [[serkem]] is [[offered]] to them. The most popular practice of [[serkem]] [[Bhutanese]] do in formal occasions is [[marchang]]. It is called [[marchang]] because it is an [[alcohol]] [[offering]] with butter decorations. | ||
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| + | In the most common [[marchang]] liturgy [[Bhutanese]] use, the [[offering]] is made to all [[gurus]] [[including]] both the immediate [[root guru]] and the [[gurus]] in the [[lineage]], to all different [[divinities]] mentioned in [[tantric]] texts, to [[ḍākini]] and [[ḍāka]] [[spiritual]] [[beings]] who help [[Buddhist practitioners]] and reside in powerful {{Wiki|holy}} site, to all the [[dharma protector]] [[deities]] led by [[Yéshé Gönpo]] ([[Mahākāla]]) and finally to [[sentient beings]] [[including]] the [[spirits]] who reside in the house and place. | ||
The [[alcohol]] represents the five nectars that help develop inner [[spiritual experience]]. The [[offering]] is made in the context of [[tantric Buddhism]] and helps overcome [[worldly]] prejudices, {{Wiki|discrimination}}, taboos and [[emotions]] among others. It is a [[ritual]] [[Bhutanese]] usually practise at inaugural events and before {{Wiki|undertaking}} a new project. | The [[alcohol]] represents the five nectars that help develop inner [[spiritual experience]]. The [[offering]] is made in the context of [[tantric Buddhism]] and helps overcome [[worldly]] prejudices, {{Wiki|discrimination}}, taboos and [[emotions]] among others. It is a [[ritual]] [[Bhutanese]] usually practise at inaugural events and before {{Wiki|undertaking}} a new project. | ||
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[[Category:Offerings]] | [[Category:Offerings]] | ||
[[Category:Bhutan]] | [[Category:Bhutan]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Vajrayana]] | ||
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[[https://texts.mandala.library.virginia.edu/text/serkem-libation-offering]] | [[https://texts.mandala.library.virginia.edu/text/serkem-libation-offering]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:54, 5 August 2022
The word serkem is an honorific term for offering libation. Kem is an old term for alcohol, an alcohol container or offering of alcohol from a wooden jug or from a container. When the kem is poured into a bowl or a cup made of or plated with [[Wikipedia:gold|gold]] (ser), then the offering becomes serkem. Similarly, when one makes a special offering of alcohol to an important figure or divinity, it is also called serkem or golden libation. It is an honorific term indicating that one is offering the best alcohol in the best container.
What should one think of while offering serkem?
When one offers serkem, one takes the container of alcohol and blesses it by means of meditation and chanting of the mantra ‘Oṃ Aḥ Huṃ’. Om turns everything into a great expanse of emptiness,
Ah converts the materials, in full awareness of the state of emptiness, into fantastic offerings of nectar and
Huṃ turns the nectar into all kinds of pleasant offerings and distributes them to deserving recipients.
In this way, one makes the serkem offering to all the Buddhas, bodhisattvas and sentient beings.
The Bhutanese use written liturgies for offering serkem. The two most common serkem in Bhutan are Degé serkem, in which one offers serkem to eight classes of spirits. The world of powerful non-human spirits is classified into eight categories and serkem is offered to them. The most popular practice of serkem Bhutanese do in formal occasions is marchang. It is called marchang because it is an alcohol offering with butter decorations.
In the most common marchang liturgy Bhutanese use, the offering is made to all gurus including both the immediate root guru and the gurus in the lineage, to all different divinities mentioned in tantric texts, to ḍākini and ḍāka spiritual beings who help Buddhist practitioners and reside in powerful holy site, to all the dharma protector deities led by Yéshé Gönpo (Mahākāla) and finally to sentient beings including the spirits who reside in the house and place.
The alcohol represents the five nectars that help develop inner spiritual experience. The offering is made in the context of tantric Buddhism and helps overcome worldly prejudices, discrimination, taboos and emotions among others. It is a ritual Bhutanese usually practise at inaugural events and before undertaking a new project.
Source
[[1]]
