Page 51 - Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols

Handbook of Tibetan Buddhis#12B 9/1/10 11:38 AM Page 33

The Five Attributes of Sensory Enjoyment 33

ancient India incense was generally burned in left of the offering bowl, and balanced with
the form of dhup, which was mixed as a the fruit offering on the opposite side. The
malleable and waxy paste from flower and white conch shell is depicted horizontally,
wood essences. with its spiraling mouth commonly opening
In India a conch shell mounted upon a to the right. Its perfumed water is shown as
small tripod serves as the water oblation ves- a ‘swirling offering’ of a pale blue liquid
sel in pujas or rituals, and this vessel is with white waves crests, symbolizing the ac-
known as a shankhapatra or conch-bowl. As tive essence or permeating fragrance of the
a Buddhist oblation or offering vessel the perfume.
conch is traditionally filled with saffron-
scented water, or water perfumed with the
five fragrant substances of saffron, sandal- TASTE
wood, musk, camphor, and nutmeg. Rosewa- (Skt. rasa; Tib. ro)
ter, and aloe and champaka flower essences
are also used in India as liquids for ‘conch Fresh fruit is traditionally represented as the
perfume’ (Skt. shankhanakha). As with many delicious offering of taste, and frequently a
medicinal substances or herbs used in Ti- triangular formation of three round fruits
betan tantric rituals, a virgin or pre-adoles- will be depicted at the left or right side of the
cent child should pick the herbs and collect offering bowl. These three fruits, which may
the water from a natural source. branch from a single stem with leaves, repre-
Iconographically the conch shell full of sent the trinities of the Three Jewels (Buddha,
perfume is usually placed on the far right or dharma, and sangha), the Buddhas of the

Various examples of food and fruit offerings, including guavas, bananas, citrons, plums, strawberries,
and sugar cane. To the left of center is a bowl of sweets; to the right of center are three ritual cake offer-
ings or tormas.