Offerings:
Food, symbolizes Dana, or selfless giving.
Flowers, symbolize the changing nature of
existence; the Buddha taught that all things in
this world are in constant change and nothing is
permanent
Incense, symbolizes the spirit of
self-purification and self-dedication; there is a
thought that, just as this incense burns, it is our
joy to diffuse sweet fragrance.
Gong: We listen to the resonance of the gong
through to the soundless sound upon which
meditation depends. The sounding of the gong
has three purposes: to announce the service, to
mark different phases of tempos during
chanting; to aid in meditation; and to go beyond.