Making Offerings Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu
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In the past, when a disciple received an empowerment given by a Tibetan Tantric guru, the disciple would be required to make an offering of several cows and sheep to his guru. The greater the teaching, the larger the number of cows and sheep required for the offering.
Most interesting was the case of Lama Ngokpa when he approached Marpa to request the empowerment of a practice which belonged to the Highest Yoga Tantra class. Marpa said, `You must be detached from all attachments and obstacles, for this empowerment requires that you offer all your wealth to the guru.`
Lama Ngokpa did not hesitate and drove all his sheep and cows to Marpa`s place and offered them to him - all except for a sheep with a bad leg which he felt Marpa would likely reject. Yet Marpa was aware of it, and told the lama, `All wealth means everything, including the lame sheep.` Thus, Lama Ngokpa returned with the sheep with a bad limb and offered it to Marpa.
According to the doctrines of Tantric Buddhism, the teachings of the Highest Yoga Tantra are very precious and, in order that the disciples who request them appreciate and treasure such teachings, a precious offering is required.
It is said that gold, silver and precious jewels form the greatest obstacle of attachment faced by any cultivator. Hence, it is important that you learn to give and offer them.
Yet, with me, it is `offer as you will!` Please do not be mistaken that my Tantric Dharma is any less precious or rare, or that it is anything but the most precious and supreme teaching.
I do have my reasons. The teachings of the Supreme Tantra which I have received are not exchangeable for any amount of money, jewels, diamonds, cars or houses.
I only ask that you offer to keep your body, speech and mind cleansed everyday, and practice truthfully. When everyone is able to reach attainment sooner and proceed to propagate the Dharma and liberate sentient beings, enlightening oneself and others along the way, such an offering of Dharma would be the greatest offering to me