Hello everyone,
I wanted to share a simple recollection and visualization technique that makes me really happy. I thought it might be of benefit to share it here.
In my practice, I recollect the Buddha’s qualities and visualize his radiant, golden form. I can bring His image to mind whenever I wish. Just seeing that image internally fills the mind with happiness and joy.
I also discovered we can make mental offerings. For example, I imagine a radiant monastery made of luminous gold, adorned with beautiful gems, and I mentally say, “I offer this beautiful monastery to the Blessed One. May the Buddha please accept this out of compassion for me.” Then whenever I recollect the Buddha, I visualize him meditating peacefully within that monastery. Of course, it’d be better if we could make physical offerings instead of mental offerings, but even making mental offerings make me happy.
Likewise, I imagine a beautiful throne—crafted of golden crystal and adorned with radiant red, blue, and white crystal—and offer it by saying, “I offer this glorious throne to the Buddha.” I then visualize Him seated there in perfect stillness.
Sometimes I visualize a magnificent golden ship and mentally say, “May the Buddha come aboard my ship to cross the water.” In my mind, I carry him with reverence across the ocean.
The idea of mental offerings is supported by the texts. In the Buddha’s own Apadāna, he speaks of giving alms, building a palace, and worshiping past Buddhas all through the power of the mind. I’d recommend reading the Buddha Apadana.
“With my mind these alms were given,
with my mind the palace was built,
and likewise so were worshipped all
the Buddhas, Lonelies and followers.Due to that karma done very well,
with intention and firm resolve,
discarding my human body
I went to Tāvatiṁsa then.”
I believe nothing done with a pure and devoted mind is ever wasted. Even mental acts—if grounded in faith and clarity—bear immense fruit. They can lead to rebirth in heavenly realms, beauty, wealth, long life, and continued contact with the Dhamma. I’ve found that this practice strengthens my joy in meditation and deepens my sense of reverence.
If anyone here has tried similar recollection or mental offering practices, I’d be happy to hear your reflections.
