In Sanskrit, the word for offering is puja, which means to please. pujas directed to certain Deities, Buddhas or Bodhisattvas create a connection with them.

In some pujas, extensive and elaborate offerings are made to propitiate the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, not because they are pleased to receive gifts, but because they rejoice in the virtue of the givers. Through them being pleased, then the sponsor accumulates great merits, which will automatically fulfill their wishes and purify their negative karma, which is the ultimate cause for their particular problem.

Through making pujas one accumulates merit. Accumulation of merit is an indispensable factor in clearing the locality or person of obstacles and renders peacefulness. It helps to free a locality from disease and increase the lifespan, happiness and wealth of its inhabitants.

It also has a positive influence on the spread of the Dharma and increases conducive conditions for a meditator’s development towards the paths to liberation and enlightenment.