What is offering?

If spelled correctly, Giàng means Heaven, the supreme deity in the beliefs of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands. The concept of Giàng, Yàng or Yang for them often includes both Heaven and deities. Giàng corresponds to the word God/God in Sanskrit ईश्वर (Izvara), in Hebrew אלוהים or in Indonesian Tuhan…

Giàng is also a common surname among ethnic minorities in Northern Vietnam, especially among the H'Mong community, and has been recorded since the 19th century in Quoc Ngu script directories based on the H'Mong language.

In short, offering is not offering to Heaven. So, what is offering?

In the Thien Nam Ngu Luc Ngoai Ky written in Nom script, there is a sentence: 會𣈙仕娓誦经供養 (The Association of Buddhist monks and nuns chanting sutras and offering offerings, p.88a). Offering means "offering, presenting offerings". Dang is the same as Duong (養) in Chinese, and the other pronunciation is Duong. In other words, offering is a mispronunciation of the word offering (供養) borrowed exactly from Chinese characters, so dang does not mean Heaven. Please pay attention to the spelling between the two words Dang and Giang.

In Buddhism, offerings are symbolic offerings to the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha). These offerings are usually candles, incense, lamps, bedding, flowers, fruits, food and drinks, banners and other solemn Buddhist items. Because monks are free from all external conditions when practicing, they cannot provide themselves with the necessities of life, they need the help of Buddhists. Therefore, helping others practice is helping others achieve success, such offerings are meritorious.

It is common for Buddhists to use money to support monks or make offerings to Buddha statues. In the past, monks did not accept offerings of money. After Chinese Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty implemented the Zen Forest system, monks could accept money. Japan calls it "pure money" (净财: clean money). Primitive Buddhism stipulates that monks are not allowed to own gold, silver, or valuables. All assets are managed by Buddhists "pure people" (净人: clean people). Offering money to Buddha statues is called "protecting Buddha" (赕佛).

We can also clasp our hands and bow, kneel or pay homage to the Buddhas and the Sangha, which is called "respectful offerings" (敬供養). Practicing the five precepts, ten good deeds, chanting sutras, reciting Buddha's name, or meditating, practicing meditation... is also a type of offering, called "practice offerings".

(行供養). Spreading the meaning of Buddhism to all sentient beings, helping them escape suffering and attain happiness is called "dharma offering" (法供養). In Buddhism, there is also "body offering" (身供養), such as "burning the finger" or "burning the ring scar" on the head of Han monks during the Song Dynasty are all considered body offerings. For the general public, working to help temples and contributing to the cause of Buddhism and monks is also considered body offerings.

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