Sacred Offerings 

Don Ivan Punchatz painted ‘Sacred Offerings’ using oils, likely towards the end of the 20th century. In this image, we see Buddhist monks approaching a large, white stupa, an important architectural feature of Buddhist religious complexes. The stupa's dome shape symbolizes the cosmos and the Buddha's enlightened mind. The monks carry bowls, perhaps containing alms or offerings, suggesting rituals of devotion and the importance of giving in Buddhist practice. We might consider the work’s spiritual and cultural setting. The presence of the stupa is closely connected to the expansion of Buddhist institutions and the religion’s ability to adapt to new cultural contexts. The original stupas, in India, served as reliquaries, holding the material remains of the Buddha and other important figures. Historians and scholars of religion can help us understand the specific traditions and historical context of these sacred rituals. It also helps us understand the role of religious institutions in society.