Is offering flowers near a Buddha statue a sensible act?

Is offering flowers near a Buddha statue a sensible act?

The Blessed One is not alive today. One cannot find him in any of the worlds referred to in Buddhism. The Blessed One’s mind has gone to the “unformed” totally (visamkara). Buddhists tend to erect various types of objects of worship, such as Buddha statues, and perform various devotional acts such as offering flowers, incense etc. near these objects of worship. How far are these acts of worship sensible? This is a common controversy subjected to discussion in the ancient times as well as in the present time.

Another question arises in our minds when we consider the need for such offerings. If the Buddha decided not to expound the dhamma (teachings) after attaining enlightenment due to profundity of doctrine He realised; if did not meet with the five ascetics to teach the dhamma; if He spent His whole file in the comforts of ecstatic samadhi  (concentration) until parinibbana ( great passing away), would there be any types of worship, offerings near Buddha statues as manifest today? 

There had been numerous paccekabuddhas since the earliest time that lived solitary lives and passed away into Nibbana. How many of us remember those paccekabuddhas? Are those paccakabuddhas considered for any type of worship or offerings?. In these circumstances, the Buddha who dedicated His whole life for the welfare and happiness of others from the time of enlightenment to the passing away, is held in highest esteem and paid highest respect by way of worship and offerings. The Buddha guided human beings to get rid of all the causes that lead to unending mental suffering and find lasting happiness through His teachings. Therefore, Buddhists devotees raise their hands in reverence and proclaim “sadu” at the mere mention of the name, “Buddha”. It is an extremely difficult task to completely record individual instances where the Supreme Buddha rendered a yeoman service to mankind for a period of forty five years.

When the Buddha visited the residence of Alawaka Yakkha, the Buddha had to tolerate Alawaka’s harsh treatment at first and was able to bring lasting solace to Alawaka’s life. Angulimala, who used to be a robber and a murderer, was converted to monkhood and later, to an enlightened saint by the Buddha. As a result, Angulimala was able to gain freedom from all suffering fully. Patacara, who was wailing and lamenting after her son’s sudden death, was brought to senses by the Buddha. Then the Buddha expounded the dhamma and made her realise the impermanent nature of all conditioned things. Finally, Patacara became a stream-winner (sotapanna).  There are numerous similar instances where the Buddha brought solace to human beings.

In these circumstances, whenever the name “Buddha” is mentioned, it conjures up in our minds the instances of great compassion and services rendered to mankind by the Buddha. This is the reason, inspiration that prompt devotees to pay homage to the Buddha.  

Most devotees place a Buddha statue in suitable location at their houses and pay homage to the Buddha by offering flowers, incense in the mornings and evenings. If the underlying intention of the homage of devotees is to attain Nibbana after enjoying future lives to the full satisfaction as human beings and deities, it cannot be identified as a sensible, worthwhile intention. It is an intention mixed with a sense of lobha (greed). The Buddha’s supreme qualities and his great compassion towards mankind do not reflect in these instances. If an individual offers flowers, incense, and light to the Buddha as a “tribute” to the Buddha’s lifelong dedication for the sake of saving numerous human beings from immense suffering and teaching them how to achieve lasting happiness, such an act could be considered as a realistic way of offering to the Buddha. This type mentality associated with offerings would accommodate one to accumulate merit in the mind. This “tribute” oriented offerings do not carry any self-centered thoughts or thoughts mixed with lobha (greed). So, every occasion of tribute - based offering is a moment devoid of lobha (greed), dosa (aversion) and moha (delusion). The thoughts devoid of any sense of lobha, dosa and moha bring happiness to one’s mind.  

Therefore, every time we pay homage to the Buddha by offering flowers, incense, light near a Buddha statue at home or any other places of worship, we need to contemplate the noble services rendered by the Buddha for the welfare and happiness of others. So, any type of offering would be a token of respect, tribute to the Buddha.

When an individual continues to pay homage to the Buddha as a token of respect and reflect on the noble services rendered by the Buddha to human beings on a daily basis, a specific mental quality would begin to emerge in this individual gradually.  It is the mental quality that one’s interactions with others should always focus on bringing “solace”. He always wishes others to have “solace” through each and every instance of interaction with them. He becomes preoccupied with “bringing solace” to others through his verbal, bodily and mental actions at all times.  

Even his family relationship with spouse, children is based on the intent of bringing solace. The intention of bringing solace to others through mental, verbal ,and bodily actions would generate a great deal of happiness in one’s mind. The state of happiness that one can generate in the mind through such an approach cannot be described in words. It is a mental state that has to be experienced individually.   This is how one can cultivate one’s good qualities through the reflection of the noble qualities of the Buddha.

So, every time you offer some flowers, light josh sticks, lamps near a Buddha statue, contemplate the services rendered by the noble life of the Buddha. Focus your thoughts to consider such offerings to be a token of respect for those noble, compassionate services. You would soon realize that your thought process begins to transform and incline towards the welfare and happiness of others. This would enable you to lead a life filled with mental happiness. You would become a true follower of the Buddha.

Note: Based on the writings by Ven. Kotte Devananda Thero