My first memory of the water bowl offering dates back to childhood, when I watched my grandmother enter and exit our altar room. Early each morning, at the break of dawn, she filled the bowls. By evening, when she emptied them, it marked the end of the day. We always poured the water outside, over a plant or tree—some form of greenery. I remember we were discouraged from simply pouring the water into the sink.
Many years later, when I lived with my aunt and uncle, I reencountered the water bowl offering. Eventually, I bought my own set of bowls.
Because of my aunt’s strong religious background, she spent much of her time in the altar room.
During auspicious occasions, such as the birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche or Lord Buddha’s Parinirvana, we increased the number of water bowl offerings. Sometimes, we doubled or tripled them, and along with water, we also offered milk. On these special days, we left the bowls out longer and only emptied them a day or two later.
What the Water Bowl Offering Taught Me
When I first got my own water bowls, I did so out of a sense of religious obligation.
Growing up, my mother’s house didn’t have an altar, something my grandmother disapproved of. Perhaps I bought the bowls to fill that gap. But over time, the water bowl offering evolved from a religious obligation into a meaningful daily ritual.
At first, I felt a lot of pressure. On days when I forgot to offer water early in the morning, I felt terrible—like I had failed. I didn’t like anyone touching my bowls. I was overly attached to them and to the practice itself.
However, after I moved back to my mother’s house—still without an altar—my approach began to shift. I came across an article that said people typically offered water in the morning but didn’t specify an exact time. Reading that article, I felt relieved.
Some days, like today, I forget to empty the bowls. But I’m okay with it. I know it won’t be the last time. Still, I remain protective of my bowls. I don’t think I’d appreciate anyone filling or emptying them without my permission.
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