Page 54 - The Buddha‘s Noble Eightfold Path

of existence. He represents the irruption into this mundane

world of something Transcendental, so he is treated and
honoured as a guest and the offerings therefore assume these

forms. Sometimes the seven or eight offerings are offered in
kind, in which case you have actual water, flowers, incense, light,
perfume and food set out on the 'steps' of the shrine, but more

often especially among Tibetans, there are seven bowls of water
instead.

Secondly, there is Vandana, which means obeisance or
salutation. This consists of paying respect with the body. Some

people say it is enough just to feel respect and reverence for the
Buddha. This may be true, but if you feel it strongly enough you

will want to express it externally. If you like someone you don't
want to keep it all in the mind: you express it externally, because
you are a totality — not just mind, but speech and body too.

Thus if you feel true veneration for the Buddha you will not want
to keep it just in the mind. You will express it spontaneously with

your body, i.e. in terms of physical action. There are many
different forms of vandana or obeisance, from simply joining the
hands in salutation, as we do when we chant the Puja, to making

a full prostration on the floor, which is done on ceremonial
occasions. But whether we put the hands together, or just put

the fingertips together, or even go down on the floor full length,
all these forms of obeisance represent a humble and receptive
attitude on our part. They express our openness to the spiritual

inspiration coming from the Buddha.

Thirdly, Going for Refuge. This means Going for Refuge to the
Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, which represents a
committing of ourselves to the Buddha as our spiritual Ideal,

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