Do you know which fruits are appropriate to offer to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and your ancestors – and which ones should be avoided?
When I was young, praying to the gods and ancestors on important days was a significant event in my household. I vividly remember two whole sugar canes with roots, each tied with red threads and adorned with a yellow paper lantern. Alongside them stood a table filled with plates of fresh fruits and flowers for the Buddhas, and another with meats, biscuits, and cakes for our ancestors. A tall stack of joss paper was always prepared for burning, symbolically sent to our ancestors for use in the afterlife.
As time passed, these traditional rituals slowly faded. After my father, the eldest son, passed away, we stopped practicing them at home. The responsibility shifted to my uncles, since – according to older traditions – women were considered outsiders and did not carry out such duties. Married women were expected to help with their husband’s family rituals instead. In modern times, with fewer children (especially sons) and with younger generations choosing not to continue these customs, many traditions are no longer passed down.
In Singapore today, many temples encourage devotees to use just one joss stick, primarily due to environmental and health concerns. Studies, including one from Thailand, have shown that burning incense releases harmful pollutants containing cancer-causing toxins – comparable to traffic fumes and cigarette smoke. Read more here: The Guardian – Burning incense as harmful as traffic fumes
Nevertheless, offering fruits to the Buddha remains an act of deep respect and gratitude. Fresh fruits symbolize purity, positive outcomes, and the nectar of the Dharma – serving as a bridge between you and the Buddha. For ancestors, fruit offerings similarly express respect, thankfulness for their blessings in life, and a request for continued guidance and protection.
Fruits You Can Offer
For Buddhas and Bodhisattvas:
- Fresh, fragrant fruits such as apples (peace), oranges (good fortune), mangoes, watermelons, pineapples (prosperity), and grapefruit (in certain traditions).
For Ancestors:
- Apples, oranges, melons, and pomelos.
Fruits You Should Avoid
For Buddhas and Bodhisattvas:
- Pears, bananas, peaches, dried or preserved fruits, or artificial fruits.
- Fruits with many viable seeds, such as tomatoes and guavas, which symbolize impurity and go against the Buddhist precept of not harming life (including life within seeds).
- Green-coloured fruits are also discouraged.
[Fun Fact: In Taoism, bananas are considered auspicious (fortune) are offered to deities.]
For Ancestors:
- Fruits that grow in bunches (bananas, grapes, lychees, longans), symbolizing troubles arriving in succession.
- Pineapples, as they are considered “yang,” whereas ancestors are associated with “yin.”
- Fruits with many viable seeds (tomatoes, guavas), seen as impure.
- Sour or strong-smelling fruits (mangoes, durians).
- Fruits with hollow centres, like wax apples, which in Chinese translate to “no heart” (无心).
- Sugar apples (custard apples), as their bumpy exterior resembles the Buddha’s head, making them inappropriate for offerings.
- Plums, because their name sounds like Taishang Laojun (太上老君), a high Taoist deity.
Many people mistakenly offer their ancestors’ favourite fruits – or their own favourites, planning to eat them afterward. However, this is considered disrespectful. If unsure, it is always best to ask.
Odd or Even Number Of Fruits?
In Chinese tradition, odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are associated with dynamic, powerful yang energy and are considered auspicious, while even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8) are linked to yin energy and are seen as less favourable.
When arranging fruits, focus on odd numbers per layer, not the total. For example, if you wish to offer four apples, place three apples on the bottom layer and one on the top. This way, each layer maintains an odd count.
Final Thought
Always offer what you can sincerely afford. Do not force yourself to give beyond your means. These practices are meant for believers of Buddhism and those honouring Chinese ancestral traditions.
FAQ
1. Can you eat the fruits offered to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, or ancestors?
- Fruits offered to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas may be eaten afterward, as they are considered blessed.
- Fruits offered to ancestors should not be consumed. In Mr Zhou’s Ghost Stories podcast, it is said these fruits lose their taste as they have already been “consumed” by the ancestors. Best to discard them respectfully.
2. Can fruits be offered without plates?
- No. Offering fruits directly on the table is considered highly disrespectful – just as you would not want to eat food placed on the floor.
3. If fruits fall on the floor, can they still be used?
- No. Once dropped, they should not be offered.
4. Can I place a mixture of fruits on one plate?
- No. Each plate should hold only one type of fruit.
5. Do I need to slice the fruits before offering?
- No. Fruits are offered whole to show respect. The Buddha and Bodhisattvas will not physically eat the fruit.
By understanding the symbolism behind fruit offerings, we can approach these rituals with the proper respect, sincerity, and awareness they deserve.