Offerings left at shrines are not eaten by the Gods so why do Hindus and Bhuddists believe in this worship?

Question

I don't understand why people leave offering at the feet of statues or shrines when they obviously can't eat them! If these statues/shrines were really an embodiment of God then surely the food would disappear and not be left there rotting. Just wondering.

Answer 1

When a Hindu goes to the temple and leaves food there, before they leave the priests gives them some food that was offered earlier. This is called prasadam. The act of offering is to symbolize that we are offering our sacrifices in life as well as our sufferings in life to God. Hindus also offer food at home. Part of this practice is somewhat similar to how it is done at the temple. Part of the food that is offered is given to animals outside the home, the rest is then eaten after one has finished prayers and worship, etc. At a temple the same is often done. Part of the food is offered to animals, the rest is then offered to others who visit the temple. Even if you do not bring any food to the temple, you can still leave with some prasadam. Such an example would be if you were homeless. In India many homeless people (as well as the traveling ascetics) will go to a temple, offer worship, and then leave with prasadam. Most of the temples there also have courtyards where the homeless can sleep at night (or other areas for them to sleep).

Hindus and Buddhists do not expect the statues or pictures to eat the food. It is all just deep symbolism. And not everyone leaves food. Some leave money, clothes, or other items as well. Hindu temples tend to not only be places of worship but also are a lot like community centers and places where charity is organized and offered.

No food is ever wasted, all of it is eaten either by others who visit the temple or by animals outside of the temple.

This is an excellent question and I hope I adequately answered it for you. I used to wonder the same thing before I became a Hindu and understood the symbolism of the actions.

Peace be with you.

Answer 2

Or maybe since gods live in the spiritual world, they eat the spirit of the food. Is it possible that it has more to do with the gods seeing that people care than with the actual consumption of food. It's religion. Why does it have to make sense?

Answer 3

All religions believe it requires a sacrifice to be heard by that specific deity, but some feel leaving a physical sacrifice is the best way to have their prayers answered.

Answer 4

It's the symbolism.

You're saying to your deity, "Here. This is something that has meaning of a significant kind to me. I want you to have it as a sign that I care more about you than about it."

This reminds you that you are supposed to feel that way about your chosen deity and it lets others know that you are aware of your religious duties toward that deity.

The deity is of course expected to know your reasons and feelings already and to be appreciative of same.

Answer 5

It is all about honoring them so that the essence is enjoyed much the same way that we adorn graves with flowers or leaving milk and cookies for Santa.

Answer 6

The important thing is that you're giving something up. You're making a sacrifice. It's not about where it's going; it's about where it's coming from.

Answer 7

It's a way of showing respect. Even if you know someone isn't hungry, wouldn't you still ask them if they wanted any food or drinks?

Answer 8

Is that why the Christian God preferred lambs blood in the OT?

Answer 9

it's shows u the giving attitude
by giving giving
1 day u would donate ur sorrow & EGO
b'coz ppl know only to recieve receive