Lighting lamps has become a method of making offerings since the Buddha’s time. Among the Ten Offerings (incense, flowers, lamps, ointments, fruit, tea, food, treasures, beads, and clothing), lamps are essential as they symbolize radiance and wisdom. Because the minds of sentient beings are hindered by the afflictions of ignorance, one therefore lights lamps before the Buddhas so that any darkness within can be illuminated by both this light and the wisdom-radiance of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, giving birth to a wise solution and the perfection of our own wisdom.

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Various scriptures such as the Avatamsaka Sutra, Great Assembly Sutra, and Bodhisattva Treasury Sutra, note the merits of offerings lights. In the Merits of Bestowing Lamps Sutra, if one sincerely makes offerings of lights to the Buddha within pagodas or temples, one may be blessed in various ways including:

• full and complete limbs and eyes.
• a healthy body and beautiful voice.
• a clear mind, unmoved by ignorance.
• good vision.
• good eyes and cornea.
• a peaceful life without fear
• ease of body and mind with wealth and treasures.
• able to receive jewelled necklaces and groves & gardens.
• a healthful body full of vitality.
• freedom from altercations and fights with others.
• freedom from the afflictions of ignorance.

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千年暗室，一燈即明。
燈，代表著光明、智慧。
《華嚴經》說「慧燈可以破諸闇」。
「佛光普照」
佛如光，可以讓我們的心光開朗；
佛如光，可以給我們溫暖、依靠。
在供佛點燈之際，更重要的是點亮自己心靈的燈光。
點燈是一種供養，更是提起我們的正念與信仰。
點了燈以後，還要加油；佛教所謂的「加油」，
就是隨喜隨力去布施行善，做功德好事，
具足了信心、功德，我們內在的心燈會長明長亮，
甚至比日月光還要強大，可以遍照十方；心燈明亮了，
佛性顯現，心靈充滿光明清淨，就能生起慈悲、智慧。
(文/ 星雲大師)