Fo Guang Shan Kansas Buddhist Center

 Fo Guang Shan's Light Offering is a Buddhist practice where devotees make a lamp offering to symbolize the dispelling of ignorance with wisdom. These offerings are made through regular Dharma services, especially on new and full moon days, and are dedicated to the well-being of the offerer, loved ones, and all beings. The practice aims to inspire compassion and is a core part of the annual New Year Festival of Light and Peace. The practice of Light Offering

• Symbolism: The light represents wisdom and enlightenment, while darkness symbolizes ignorance. Lighting a lamp is an act of illuminating the mind to dispel inner darkness.
• Types of offerings: Offerings can be made for various purposes, such as personal wishes (Light of Wishes), dispelling fear and bringing health (Light of Hope), or enhancing peace of mind (Light of Peace).
• Dedication of merit: The merits gained from the light offering are dedicated to the well-being of the offerer, their family, and all beings, with the aspiration of attaining liberation from suffering.
• Merits: Offering a lamp is traditionally said to bring ten merits, including gaining wisdom, dispelling darkness, and receiving great merit.