tsog

Tsog (also tsogs or tshogs) is a term in Tibetan Buddhism describing a ritual offering in which food, drink, and symbolic items are presented to deities, protectors, lamas, and practitioners during ceremonies and pujas. The word derives from Tibetan tshogs, meaning “collection” or “offering,” and it denotes both the ceremonial arrangement and the act of giving.

In a typical tsog, offerings are arranged on a raised plate or table and are blessed by a lama before being distributed. Common items include steamed rice, meat dishes, dairy products such as butter and cheese, tsampa, fruit, sweets, tea, and sometimes alcohol. The offerings are often arranged with ritual implements, incense, and mantras. After prayers, the blessed portions are shared with participants as prasada, symbolizing generosity and the sharing of merit.

Tsog is a feature in many Tibetan Buddhist traditions, including Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug, and is also observed in Bhutan, Mongolia, Nepal, and Ladakh. It is used during healing rites, protective rituals, festivals, and initiations, serving to invite deities or protectors and to strengthen devotion and communal bonds.

Variations exist in items, timing, and social roles. Some tsog ceremonies emphasize tea and chang (barley wine), while others focus on symbolic offerings rather than food. The practice embodies generosity, abundance, and interdependence, with the distribution of blessed portions reinforcing communal harmony.