Question asked by Marcel Serra
Dear Pastor Niral Patel,
Thank you very much for answering my question.
To do the tea offering to Vajrayogini do we use the Serkym Set and the TeaPot? if so is their a video demonstrating how to do? or could you please explain how to do the tea offering?
And after we are done with the tea offering practice what do we do with the offered tea?
Thank you!
Marcel
Dear Marcel Serra,
Thank you for your question. Yes, when you do the Vajrayogini Tea offering you can use a Serkym Set and Tea pot.
For this offering, you can follow the standard procedure of offering Serkym to the Dharma protectors. Here is a video that explains how to offer Serkym to Dorje Shugden:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6ybkXO4R2k. In the case of the Vajrayogini tea offering, you would pour the tea when it says to recite “I offer”, you pour the tea at the of that line. Then you fill it to the brim or finish pouring. Alternative you fill the tea in the container to the brim at the beginning, and then recite the liturgy. Either way is acceptable.
However, it is not necessary to have a Serkym set for this offering. Any container, such as a glass or bowl may be used. But it should only be used for this purpose on your altar, and not used for anything else. If possible you should get an offering container that is the best you can afford, as it is an offering to Vajrayogini. You can read more about the procedure and how to do it on the post with the tea offering, which is available here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/tea-offering-to-vajrayogini-for-the-1st-time.html.
After you have finished your prayers, or are clearing your offerings at the end of the day, you can dispose of the tea in a respectful manner. If you have a garden you can pour the tea outside in a clear and tidy area of the plants or grass. If you have nowhere to dispose of the tea outside, you can dispose of the tea respectfully in a sink, but definitely not the bathroom sink. I hope this helps.
Thank you.