About Light Offerings

Traditionally, butterlamps in Tibet were filled with yak butter. As butter was quite difficult to obtain, offering butterlamps on the altar was considered a very precious offering.

The offering of light symbolises the illumination of wisdom — Buddha’s realisations when he attained enlightenment and dispelled the darkness of ignorance that obscures the mind’s true nature.

For Tibetan Buddhists, a light offering also carries their personal wish to attain Buddhahood and aspiration to achieve the mind of clear light at the time of death, thereby experiencing liberation.

In modern times, wax and electric candles may be offered in place of traditional butterlamps.

Further Reading

• The benefits of offering light by Tsem Rinpoche
• Light offering prayer
• Making offerings to Buddha (video)
• 100,000 butterlamp offering retreat

• Material: Copper, gold
• Height: 135 mm (5.3-in)
• Diameter: 100 mm (3.9-in)
• Weight: 0.29 kg (0.7 lb)