The Bodhicaryāvatāra Offering Practice

“This year we have a special offering day. It’s called the offering of the Bodhicaryāvatāra. And this special celebration to practice offering was created by Dza Patrul Rinpoche. When Dza Patrul Rinpoche was in Shri Singha and taught the Bodhicaryāvatāra (or the Bodhisattvas’ Way) as he did every year — I think, one month and a half — as the teachings finished, he created this offering. It’s very, very famous, like, a celebration or offering practice. And therefore, maybe this year, we can just start that. Then you can continue to do it every year on the 4th day of the 6th month (in the Tibetan lunar calendar).”

Dzogchen Ranyak Patrul Rinpoche, January 2026

The Bodhicaryāvatāra Offering Practice is a devotional practice based on Chapter 2 of Śāntideva’s “Bodhicaryāvatāra,” focusing on accumulating merit, purifying negative karma, and cultivating the mind of enlightenment (bodhicitta). It involves visualizing vast, symbolic offerings—gems, flowers, perfumes, lights and so on—to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, alongside devoting oneself to the service of all beings.

Key Components of the Offering Sādhana:

– Refuge and Bodhicitta:
Commencing by taking refuge in the Three Jewels and generating the aspiration to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.

– The Seven-Branch Prayer (specifically Offering): The core practice involves the “Offering of the Clouds of Offerings”, which includes:
* Offering the Universe: Mentally offering the entire world, including mountains, forests, and celestial realms.
* Symbolic Offerings: Offering bathing, cleansing, fragrant, and luxurious items to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
* Self-Dedication: Offering one’s own body and life as a servant to the Buddhas to act for the welfare of others.

– Purification: The practice is designed to purify previous negative actions, as stated in the text.

– Dedication of Merit: Concluding with the dedication of the merit gained to the enlightenment of all sentient beings.