Question asked by Charles
Hello, I am a few questions regarding the serkym to dharmapala Setrap and tea offering to vajrayogini. I am a non-initiated peson by the way.
1.) In the second verse of serkym offering to Setrap that say I have to pour 21 times as mentioned in the "Sadhana and Prayers" post of the website. Do I have to recite the verse 21 times and pouring the tea on the 3rd and 4th stanzas or do I just recite in one time and pouring the tea 21 times on the 3rd and 4th stanzas
2.) I see in the "Sadhana and Prayers" post of the website that there is a prayer and serkym to dharma protector Setrap. But, the entire liturgy could possibly be a bit for someone who is in a hurry. Is there a shorter version/way of serkym offering to dharma protector Setrap for me as a non-initiated person or is what mentioned in that post is the shortest version I can do.
3.) In the sacred tea offering to vajrayogini according to this link "https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/tea-offering-to-vajrayogini-for-the-1st-time.html?nomobile" Is the container that the tea is being pour into has to be a serkym vessel or is it can be any kind of bowls/containers. Also, can I offering alcohol instead of tea using the liturgy in the link as a non-initiated person. Also, Is it permissible to do this? "I brewed the tea and put into a small jug and I consecrated using the incense and mantra "OM AH HUM" then I pour out the first portion while reciting the prayer and serkym to dharma protector Setrap and the remaining portion I pour out as an offering to Vajrayogini while reciting the tea offering liturgy to Vajrayogini."
Hi Charles,
Let me help to answer your questions,
1. There are two ways of doing Serkym. The first way is to pour everything into the Serkym offerings vessel before beginning the prayer itself, and then just reciting the prayer. The second, more traditional method, is to pour a little bit during the 3rd and 4th lines while reciting.
For the verses that repeat, such as the main verse to Setrap, you pour on the 3rd and 4th lines each time you repeat. So for that section, you pour a little bit 21 times if you are repeating the verse 21 times.
2. If you do not have enough time, then it is permissable to recite just the main verse to Setrap, which is the verse you repeat 21 times if reciting the full prayer. So just recite that one verse 21 times and pour for 21 times. If really tight on time, you can do it 7 or 3 times also. However, the benefit from the offering will be less than normal because you put less effort into the practice. I would suggest trying to do the main verse at least 21 times, even if you cannot do the entire prayer. Don’t worry, after some time you will memorise the main offering verse, so you will be able to do it quickly even when time is not on your side for that day.
3. Serkym is usually offered in the traditional two-tiered serkym vessel. If you don’t have one or it’s not easy to get it, you can make your own with what you can get. For example, you can use a big glass bowl and inside that glass bowl, place a wine-glass or goblet inside. The main things is that it should have two tiers, so it overflows from one into the other. It should not overflower from the second one. And you should be new items to use only for this purpose.
In regards to using alcohol instead of tea, generally Tsem Rinpoche recommended to use black tea, how you can use alcohol also. This is generally only offered to protectors however, not meditational deities. So the way Rinpoche taught the VajraYogini tea offering, only tea is used. You can use alcohol for the Setrap serkym, as long as those people you live with, etc. do not develop a wrong view about your practice. If you are living with others who may misunderstand, then better stick to tea.
In regards to using the same jug for both Setrap and Vajra Yogini, it’s better to use two separate jugs, or brewing tea twice in the same jug. This is because each time you make the tea, it’s an offering to a different deity. However, if this is not possible for whatever reason, it’s permissable. There won’t be anything bad that will happen or anything like that.
Hope all these answers help.
Thanks!