In the Vajrayana tradition, Homa is a sacred fire offering — a ritual in which prayers, substances, and aspirations are offered into a consecrated flame and carried, as smoke, toward the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma Protectors. At Veil Parasol Temple, Homa is performed within the True Buddha School lineage transmitted by Living Buddha Lian-sheng, drawing on centuries of tantric Buddhist practice. The fire of Homa is not the fire of destruction. It is the fire of wisdom — a transformative flame that consumes obstacles, purifies negative karma, and turns offerings into nourishment for enlightened beings.

The practice has four traditional functions, drawn from classical Vajrayana. Pacifying removes obstacles, illness, and disturbance. Increasing augments merit, longevity, wisdom, and the resources to support virtuous activity. Magnetizing draws favourable conditions and harmonious relationships. Subjugating transforms powerful negative forces into the service of the Dharma. The function performed in a particular session depends on the deity invoked and the gathered supplicants' needs.

Each Homa is centred on a specific deity — most often a heart deity of the lineage, a buddha associated with the practice's purpose, or a wealth-bestowing deity for prosperity. Through visualization, the master and assembled practitioners merge with the deity's mandala; through mantra, speech becomes one with the deity's blessing; through mudra and the placement of offerings, body and intention join the rite. The substances offered into the flame — grains, ghee, flowers, fragrant wood, white sesame — each represent particular qualities such as sustenance, purification, and the removal of specific obstacles. As they enter the fire, they are received by the deities and returned to the supplicants as blessing.

Practitioners attend a Homa with personal aspirations — for the wellbeing of family and ancestors, the success of virtuous undertakings, purification of past misdeeds, protection during difficult times, or simply to deepen devotion. The collective focus of the assembled sangha amplifies each individual intention and gathers them into a single field of merit, dedicated at the close to all sentient beings.

A Homa at Veil Parasol Temple takes place within the shrine hall around a consecrated fire altar. Practitioners arrive in modest, respectful clothing and take seats facing the altar. Newcomers are welcome — no prior preparation is required. The temple provides texts and quiet guidance as needed. The officiating master begins by purifying the space, inviting the presence of the deity, and consecrating the fire kindled with sacred wood.

Throughout the ceremony, the assembled practitioners join in chanting mantra and the prayers of supplication while the master places offerings into the flame in measured sequence. Donors may submit names of those for whom they wish to offer prayers — family members in difficulty, deceased relatives, those in need of protection. These names are dedicated during the ritual.

Approach the ritual with sincerity and respect. The most important offering is not what is placed into the fire, but the openness of body, speech, and mind that allows the blessing to be received. With repeated attendance, the rhythm becomes familiar, and the practitioner begins to feel the depth of what Vajrayana offers.