Dispelling Darkness

Oil lamp offering at an evening puja at the temple complex in Kataragama, Sri Lanka.

Buddhist offering lamp at puja in Kataragama, Sri Lanka

“Another popular offering of much importance is that of lighted lamps, usually of coconut oil (dipa-puja or pahan-puja). As the Buddha is regarded as the dispeller of the darkness of ignorance, when lighted lamps are offered in his name this metaphorical contrast between the light of knowledge and the darkness of ignorance is taken as the theoretical basis for the ritual.”  Buddhist Ceremonies and Rituals of Sri Lanka, A.G.S. Kariyawasam

WPC: Ephemeral