It is a common custom for people to offer gifts and tokens to other as an expression of their love, appreciation or veneration. Similarly, the making of offerings at the shrine in the home or temple is a way of expressing one's appreciation and venerationto the Teachings of Buddha. A Buddhist offer to the virtues of Buddha only those things the he consider to be pleasant, pure or valuable. Some of the usual offerings at the shrine include light in form of lighted candles, oil lamp or even electric lights. Additional offerings may consists of flowers, incense, fruit, water and food.
Light symbolizes wisdom as contrasted to darkness which symbolizes ignorance.
Thus the offering of light to the Triple Gem reminds a Buddhist that the goal of Enlightenment is attained when wisdom drives away the darkness of ignorance. The flowers which are offered at the shrine are flesh, fragrant and beautiful at the time when they are placed before an image but will soon become withered, scentless and discolored. The offering of flowers reminds the Buddhist of the impermanence of things, an important teaching of the Buddha. When incense is lit, it fragrance fills the air. This is like the spreading of the purifying effect of wholesome conduct.