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This is recited before we make a rice offering at our service:In keeping with the innovative creation of an American Buddhism, our services on the first and third Saturday of each month at the Lake Street Church at 607 Lake Street in Evanston have continued to undergo a creative spirit. The volunteer chairperson can build a service around the scheduled speaker's teaching. Choosing readings, music, art, a social concern or what have you, in flexible format based on selections from past services and/or new ideas. One example of this is that the usual incense offering can and often does become the Nourishment Offering. It begins with the reading of the “Nourishment Offering” above. Then each person has an opportunity to fill a cup with rice from a bowl in the center of the gathering. Their gift is brought forth to be poured into a basket on a table, which is part of the circle. After gassho, the empty cup is given to the next person wishing to fill the cup and add more nourishment to the collective whole of the community. After everyone has had the opportunity to present rice, the Nourishment Offering is again read. Next, anyone in the gathering can then take an empty container and fill it with rice from the community’s collective supply to then give it to someone they choose to nourish with that gift. The person can be present or most often is not, in that case should be taken to that person as soon as possible. It can be offered to those suffering or to those who have joy or another quality that you wish them to continue to impart.You may even want to give nourishment to yourself. The possibilities are many. A short statement about your presentation is also an option. The gift to us all is one of sharing and understanding within our hearts and minds. |
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