# Sur offering

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sur_offering
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sur_offering.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sur_offering
> Source revision: 1297996456
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

A **sur offering** (Sanskrit: [homa](/source/Homa_(ritual)#Buddhism)) is a [Tibetan Buddhist](/source/Tibetan_Buddhist) practice in which a mixture of flour, sweets and dairy products, sometimes with additional valuable or aromatic substances, is consecrated and placed in a fire or burned as [incense](/source/Incense)[citation needed]. The resulting fragrant smoke is offered to the objects of [refuge](/source/Refuge_(Buddhism)) and shared with all sentient beings.

Tiny, high-pitched cymbals called [tingshas](/source/Tingsha) may be struck while the offering is burned; these call sentient beings, especially hungry ghosts ([pretas](/source/Preta)), to share it and satisfy their hunger. Partaking of this blessing purifies their [karma](/source/Karma) and allows them to pass on to a blessed [rebirth](/source/Rebirth_(Buddhism)).

The practice may be long or short, as time and circumstances allow, and generally does not require initiation from a [lama](/source/Lama). The [merit](/source/Merit_(Buddhism)) of the practice is dedicated to the benefit of deceased persons or animals, especially during the 49 days after death, during which they are believed to be in the [bardo](/source/Bardo) state. Sur offerings may also be done to dispel negative or harmful influences, such as [ghosts](/source/Ghosts).

## External links

- [Advice from Lama Zopa on helping disaster victims](http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/advice/tsunami.asp)
- [General discussion on Khandro.net of fire and smoke offerings](http://www.khandro.net/nature_fire_deities.htm)
- [Tibetan Treasures page with sur offering supplies and teaching](http://www.tibetantreasures.com/mandala_and_sur_offering_sur_offering.html)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sur offering](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sur_offering) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sur_offering?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.