The serkym offering forms an integral part of many Dharma Protector fulfilment rituals (kangso) performed in monasteries and temples throughout the Tibetan Buddhist world. “Ser” means golden, while “kym” means beverage, therefore serkym is often translated as “Golden Drink Offering”. An alternative name in English is “Black Tea” as this is usually the actual substance offered.

The serkym offering is one of the most iconic prayers to the Dharma Protectors. In essence it is a very powerful extended offering to the Dharma Protector requesting swift assistance. As with any offering serkym generates great merits, clears the way for what we need to accomplish and invites the necessary resources and conditions, but does so much quicker than the usual offerings. Hence, it has become a very popular prayer and is commonly practised by modern practitioners requesting assistance, especially in times of emergencies or dire need.

When in need of help we naturally seek the assistance of someone who has the ability to do so. In Tibetan Buddhism we seek the assistance of Dharma Protectors, in this case Dorje Shugden who is an emanation of Manjushri. As his form is within samsara, Dorje Shugden has a stronger connection with us and can therefore aid us quickly in times of distress.

There is a belief that the Buddhas themselves are beyond reach and therefore reliance on Dharma Protectors overrides reliance on the Buddhas. This is not the case. Most people do not have the karma, spiritual disposition nor have they created the causes to receive assistance from the Buddhas directly. Out of compassion, Buddhas emanate in the form of Dharma Protectors, through which they can aid us quicker. Therefore one can rely on enlightened Dharma Protectors as extensions of the Buddhas themselves in the face of heavy negative karma.

Many practitioners include the serkym offering as part of their daily prayers to Dorje Shugden as a means to request his presence in assisting with both worldly and spiritual matters. Apart from Dharma Protectors, there are also serkym offering prayers to meditational deities (yidams) such as Vajrayogini, however serkym offerings largely remain synonymous with prayers to Dharma Protectors.

How to Offer Serkym

The serkym offering involves the pouring of a beverage. Traditionally this beverage was tea, highly prized in ancient Tibet and reflective of the name ‘serkym‘. Other beverages can also be used as a replacement, for example milk, yogurt, soya milk, herbal drinks, carbonated drinks or any other kind of pure drink. When offering tea however, it is advisable to offer it as hot as possible. This acts as a request to Dorje Shugden to offer his assistance swiftly, heat being representative of quick action.

A traditional serkym set

The serkym offering is made by pouring the beverage into a two-tiered vessel. This consists of a taller vessel placed in a lower bowl. Traditionally serkym vessels are made of copper, brass or even silver and gold. As with any other offering to the Buddhas, we should use the best offering vessels and offering substances according to our means as a sign of our sincerity and faith in the practice. Through this we create a close relationship to the deities and generate large amounts of merits every time we make the offerings.

If the traditional Tibetan-style serkym set cannot be acquired, it is perfectly fine to replace it with a tall glass, such as a wine glass, placed in a large glass bowl. The beverage is poured from a pot into the top tier until it overflows into the lower bowl. This offering is highly auspicious, as overflowing liquid is a symbolic representation of the abundance of merits, virtues, material resources and conducive conditions for Dharma practice.

There are two methods when it comes to pouring the beverage into the two-tiered vessel. The first method involves pouring all the liquid into the vessel before the recitation of the serkym prayer. In the second method, the offering is poured gradually at specific points during the recitation of the prayer. If you choose the second method, it is advisable to pour a little of the offering substance into the top tier before the start of the prayer as it is inauspicious to present the Buddhas with an empty vessel.

A Commentary on Serkym Offering

Before beginning the actual recitation of the serkym prayer, first consecrate the two-tiered serkym set by circling a lit stick of incense around it three times in a clockwise direction, while chanting the mantra “OM AH HUM”. While reciting the verses and making the offering, visualise the beverage as divine nectar that expands to fill an entire ocean. This ocean actually represents everything desirable in the universe, especially anything that pleases the five senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. This ocean of everything desirable is offered to Dorje Shugden and other deities mentioned according to the verses.

The serkym offering is poured during the line “Through offering you this ambrosial drink…” during verses one to eight and throughout the entirety of verse nine, during which one should fill the serkym vessel completely. No serkym is poured during verses ten and eleven.

The first verse of the serkym prayer is an offering to the Gurus, especially one’s Root Guru, and Yidams (meditational deities). Without the Guru, one cannot learn the methods out of suffering leading to Enlightenment, therefore the first offering marks the Guru’s importance. These methods include the practice of various Yidams. It is through the meditations associated with the Yidams that one actually achieves enlightenment within the Vajrayana tradition.

Examples of Yidams include Manjushri, Yamantaka, Heruka Chakrasamvara and Vajrayogini. Through their practices one can achieve two types of attainments. The first is known as “ordinary attainments” which includes healing, protection from physical accidents or malevolent beings, acquiring wealth and even supernatural abilities that one can use on the path to help others such as clairvoyance. The second is known as “supreme attainments” which includes the development of Bodhicitta (compassion) and Shunyata (wisdom realising emptiness), and ultimately the highest attainment of complete Enlightenment.

The second verse is offered to the heroes, dakinis and the ocean of Dharma Protectors. Heroes and dakinis are divine beings that aid Tantric practitioners. This verse is an exhortation for their help.

The third verse is the main verse of the prayer. Here we are requesting Dorje Shugden directly for his swift assistance. As the main verse, it is typically recited 7 or 21 times. In times of dire need, one can increase the number of recitations of this verse to 108 or more. Increasing the number of recitations allows Dorje Shugden to help you quicker as you generate immense merits through repeating the offering. If one does not have time to complete the entire serkym prayer, then it is permissible to concentrate on the recitation of this verse alone.

Verse four is offered to the “five families” of Dorje Shugden. These are actually Dorje Shugden together with his four other forms – Shize, Gyenze, Wangze and Trakze, representing his peaceful, increasing, controlling and wrathful activities respectively. This verse is calling upon Dorje Shugden to use all his enlightened activities to aid in fulfilling our requests.

The fifth verse is offered to the remainder of Dorje Shugden’s holy entourage: the nine beautiful consorts, also known as the nine mothers, who assist Tantric practitioners; the eight guiding monks who assist practitioners in holding any vows and commitments one may have taken; and the ten fierce assistants who create conducive conditions for our Dharma practice by clearing any obstacles we may face.

Verse six is offered to the Dharma Protector Setrap Chen, an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, who has a special connection with Dorje Shugden. In a previous life Dorje Shugden in the form of Lama Loden Sherab brought Setrap and his practice from India to Tibet. Setrap also assisted Dorje Shugden when he arose in his current form as a Dharma Protector and resides above Dorje Shugden in his mandala. This verse is recited seven times as Setrap is important in the practice of Dorje Shugden. Through this verse, we are requesting Setrap for his divine assistance as well.

The seventh verse is offered to Kache Marpo, an emanation of the Buddha Hayagriva. An enlightened Dharma Protector in his right, he serves Dorje Shugden as his main minister. This is somewhat similar to a king, Dorje Shugden, having ministers to help administer his works. This verse is recited 3 times, showing respect to Kache Marpo as an enlightened Dharma Protector and his role as Dorje Shugden’s minister.

Verse eight is offered to Namkha Bardzin, also a Dharma Protector in his own right, though unenlightened. He was bound to assist Dorje Shugden as another minister.

The ninth verse is offered to the countless emanations of all those aforementioned deities, worldly deities and other beings who surround Dorje Shugden. These beings assist Dorje Shugden in his activities according to their own means.

The last two verses end the prayer with an exhortation to Dorje Shugden to protect and fulfil the requests of the practitioner and remind the entourage to fulfil their oaths of promise to assist Dorje Shugden in his compassionate activity.

Serkym Offering Prayer

The serkym offering can be done as part of the daily sadhana to Dorje Shugden, or as a special exhortation for activities. The offering substance can be tea, milk, yogurt, soya milk, carbonated drinks, herbal drinks, or any kind of pure drink, and is poured at the third line of verse 1-8 and throughout verse 9. Perform the serkym offering with the conviction that the Dharmapala and entourage have actually come before oneself.

Tibetan Version

OM AH HUM (3x to consecrate offerings)

HUM!
DÖN NYI LEG TSOG CHAR BEB LAMA DANG
CHOG TÜN NGÖ DRUB KÜN TSÖL YIDAM HLAR
DE TER DÜTSIY TUNG WA DI BÜL GYI *
ZHE NE SAM DÖN NYUR DU HLÜN DRUB TZÖ

NE SUM PAWO KANDRÖ TSOG KÜN DANG
TU DEN TEN SUNG DAM CHEN GYATSO LA
DE TER DÜTSIY TUNG WA DI BÜL GYI *
ZHE NE SAM DÖN NYUR DU HLÜN DRUB TZÖ

KYE PAR JIG TEN LE DE TEN SUNG CHOG
TU TOB NYEN NYUR DORJE SHUGDEN LA
DE TER DÜTSIY TUNG WA DI BÜL GYI *
ZHE NE SAM DÖN NYUR DU HLÜN DRUB TZÖ (7x)

ZHI GYE WANG DANG NGÖN CHÖ RAB JAM LE
TOG ME TSÖL TZE NAM GYUR RIG NGA LA
DE TER DÜTSIY TUNG WA DI BÜL GYI *
ZHE NE SAM DÖN NYUR DU HLÜN DRUB TZÖ

TZE DUG YUM GU NA DREN GELONG GYE
LE KEN TUM PAY TAG SHAR CHU SOG LA
DE TER DÜTSIY TUNG WA DI BÜL GYI *
ZHE NE SAM DÖN NYUR DU HLÜN DRUB TZÖ

(This verse can be omitted depended on timing)
HRI
KYE PAR GYEL WAY TEN PA SUNG WAY TSO
SE YI TRAB CHEN KOR DANG CHE NAM LA
DO GU TSANG WAY SER KYEM CHO PA DI *
BUL LO SUNG KYOB YEL WA ME PAR TZO (7x)

KA KOR NYEN PO DAM NYAM SOG GI SHE
SHINTU TRO TUM KACHE MARPO LA
DE TER DÜTSIY TUNG WA DI BÜL GYI *
ZHE NE SAM DÖN NYUR DU HLÜN DRUB TZÖ (3x)

DAM NYAM NYING TRAG SER TAR JANG WA YI
SER KYEM RAB TU KÖL WAY TUNG WA DI
NAM KA BAR TZIN KOR DANG CHÄ LA BÜL *
SHE NÄ NÄL JOR SAM DÖN DRUB PAR TZÖ

(Pour the remaining serkym offering throughout this verse)
ZHEN YANG TRÜL PA YANG TRÜL SAM YE DANG
KA DÖ HLA SIN TONG SUM YO WA LA
DE TER DÜTSIY TUNG WA DI BÜL GYI
ZHE NE SAM DÖN NYUR DU HLÜN DRUB TZÖ

DE TAR CHÖ CHING TRINLE KÜL WAY TÜ
NAM ZHIY TRINLE DÜ DRUG KE CHIG KYANG
YEL WA ME PAR PA YI BU ZHIN DU
TAG TU KYONG SHING TAG TU JE ZUNG TZÖ

KA DÖ DREG PAY TSOG KYANG DÜLTZIN JE
YAR DAM NYEN PÖ TA TSIG DREN TZÖ LA
DAG GI GANG DANG GANG CHÖL LE DI NAM
DA TA NYUR DU DRUB LA MA YEL ZHIG

* Pour serkym while reciting this line

English Version

OM AH HUM (3x to consecrate offerings)

HUM!
O Gurus who rain down accumulations of excellence fulfilling our own and others’ purposes,
And Yidams who bestow all ordinary and supreme attainments,
Through offering you this ambrosial drink which bestows bliss,*
May you, having partaken, swiftly and spontaneously accomplish our wishes!

O all hosts of heroes and dakinis of the three places,
And ocean of powerful, oath-bound Dharma Protectors,
Through offering you this ambrosial drink which bestows bliss,*
May you, having partaken, swiftly and spontaneously accomplish our wishes!

And especially, supreme, supramundane Dharmapala,
Forcefully powerful, strict, and swift Dorje Shugden,
Through offering you this ambrosial drink which bestows bliss,*
May you, having partaken, swiftly and spontaneously accomplish our wishes! (7x)

O five families who unobstructedly bestow
Infinite activities of peace, increase, power and wrath,
Through offering you this ambrosial drink which bestows bliss,*
May you, having partaken, swiftly and spontaneously accomplish our wishes!

O nine beautiful consorts, eight guiding monks,
And ten fierce, attendant young guardians, and so on,
Through offering you this ambrosial drink which bestows bliss,*
May you, having partaken, swiftly and spontaneously accomplish our wishes!

(This verse can be omitted depending on timing)
HRI!
Especially, principal guardian of the Conquerors’ Teachings,
Setrap Chen along with entourage to you
This golden drink replete with all one could wish is offered;*
Never waver in your protection! (7x)

O extremely fierce Kache Marpo, the strict attendant,
Executioner of those with degenerated samaya,
Through offering you this ambrosial drink which bestows bliss,*
May you, having partaken, swift and spontaneously accomplish our wishes! (3x)

Vow-breakers’ heart-blood purified like gold,
This drink of fully boiling Serkym,
I offer to Namkha Bardzin and entourage*
Accepting, accomplish the yogi’s intended purpose!

(Pour the remaining serkym offering throughout this verse)
As well as the inconceivable emanations and their emanations,
Attendant deities and demons who shake the three thousand worlds,
Through offering you this ambrosial drink which bestows bliss,
May you, having partaken, swiftly and spontaneously accomplish our wishes!

Thus, by the force of this offering and exhortation,
May you grant your activity throughout the six time periods
And, without wavering, always protect me
And care for me like a father for his son!

And you hosts of wrathful attendants, as well,
Remember your sworn oaths of promise to Lord Dültzin
And accomplish swiftly now, without distraction,
Whatever activities I have requested!

* Pour serkym while reciting this line