Material: Gold-plated. Alloy (two-piece. Not sold separately) L

Size: 15 x 13 cm approx.

Narrative:

The Dharma Protector Offering Cup is an important offering utensil in Tibetan Buddhism. It is usually used to worship the Dharma Protector Deity in order to pray for protection, eliminate obstacles and increase blessings. The origin of this type of offering cup is closely related to the belief in guardian deities. Especially in Tantric practice, guardian deities are regarded as the power that protects the Dharma and can assist practitioners in overcoming internal and external obstacles.

**The story and origin of the Dharma Protector Offering Cup**

The history of the Dharma Protector Offering Cup can be traced back to the Buddhist traditions of ancient India and Tibet. In the practice of Tantric Buddhism, Dharma protectors are divided into supramundane Dharma protectors (such as Mahakala and Yamantaka) and mundane Dharma protectors (such as the Devas and the Eight Classes). There are different ways to offer offerings to these guardian gods, among which offering water, wine, tea, etc. are common ways.

In Tibetan Buddhist temples and personal practice, water offering cups (Dharmapala offering cups) are regarded as pure offerings, symbolizing pure wisdom and blessings. The custom of offering water originated from ancient Indian Buddhism, and later developed into a more elaborate offering ritual in Tibet. For example, water offering cups are usually placed in groups to represent the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, or to symbolize the Three Studies of Precepts, Concentration, and Wisdom.

In addition, the use of the guardian offering cup is also related to the stories of the guardian gods. For example, in some Tibetan Buddhist traditions, practitioners have received blessings, averted disasters, or achieved breakthroughs in practice by devoutly offering offerings to guardian deities. These stories emphasize the importance of offerings to the guardian deities and remind practitioners to make offerings with a pure heart in order to obtain the protection of the guardian deities.