What is a Khata Offering Ceremony?

At the end of a teaching, there is usually an opportunity for students to approach the lama to exchange a few words and to receive a blessing.  During this time, students traditionally present the lama with a khata, which is a sheer white scarf used in the Tibetan culture as an offering.

Usually the lama will return the khata by placing it around a student’s shoulders as a blessing. The khata symbolizes the purity of your own buddha nature, which you offer the lama and which he then returns to you. Students wishing to make a monetary (or other) offering to the lama, known as dana, can do so at this time. Dana is usually prepared beforehand and placed in a white or red envelope.  When you offer the khata, you place the dana envelope on the lama's table. Otherwise, you can give your dana to an attendant or sangha member to be given to the lama later.

It is also customary to offer a khata and dana when receiving a private interview with the lama.