The Sur Offering in Tibetan Buddhism

A sur offering is a 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. The resulting fragrant smoke is offered to the objects of refuge and shared with all sentient beings.

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

The practice may be long or short, as time and circumstances allow, and generally does not require initiation from a lama. The merit 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 state. Sur offerings may also be done to dispel negative or harmful influences, such as ghosts.

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From Tibetan Treasures:

The sur substance is made of roasted barley flour (tsampa), yogurt, butter, milk, sugar, molasses, and honey (the three whites and the three sweets). Reciting the prayers and mantra syllables in the text, one purifies and consecrates the offering, sprinkles a small amount of it onto a burning coal, and sounds the tingsha to summon beings to partake of it. Together, the aroma and the practitioner's motivation, visualization, and dedication of merit provide an offering that both delights enlightened beings and satisfies all ordinary beings. In particular, sur offerings nourish those in the bardo, the intermediate state after death. These beings experience hunger and thirst but can be nourished only through their sense of smell. This practice can be done for forty-nine days after someone's death, with emphasis on dedicating the merit of this virtuous activity for the benefit of the deceased.

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