Material: Copper. Silver-plated. Carved

Size: Height about 15cm

Narrative:

The offering cup (water offering cup) in Buddhism is one of the important instruments for offering to the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, symbolizing purity, respect and piety. The use of offering cups originated from the offering tradition in ancient India, and later developed into a fixed way of offering in Mahayana Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism.

**The story and origin of the offering cup**

The concept of the offering cup originated from the welcoming etiquette of the royal family and nobles in ancient India. When welcoming distinguished guests, offerings such as clean water, fragrant flowers, and lights are prepared to show respect. Buddhists incorporated this way of offering into religious rituals and developed the "five offerings" or "eight offerings" form of offering, among which the water cup is one of the most basic offerings.

In Buddhist scriptures, offering water symbolizes a pure mind and an equal heart. For example, the Avatamsaka Sutra mentions: "Offering pure water to the Buddhas can gain immeasurable blessings." The clear and untainted water represents the purity of the practitioner's mind and can cultivate compassion.

**The symbolism and application of the offering cup**

The offering cup usually consists of one, three or eight cups, depending on the different sects and practice methods:

- **Single cup offering**: symbolizes respect and offering to the Buddha.

- **Three cups of offering**: represents the Three Treasures of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, or the Three Studies of Precepts, Concentration and Wisdom.

- **Eight cups of offering**: symbolizes eight kinds of offerings, including water, flowers, incense, lamps, perfume, food, musical instruments and Dharma sounds.

There are also certain regulations on the way water is supplied, for example:

- **Before offering water**: Keep the offering cup clean and fill it with water with respect.

- **When offering water**: You can recite the offering verse, such as "May this pure water be offered to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the ten directions."

- **Collect the supplied water**: The supplied water can be poured into your daily drinking water for drinking to increase your wisdom and blessings.

In Buddhist practice, the offering cup is not only a symbol of offering, but also represents the practitioner's piety and accumulation of merit.