Q: Dear Master Lu, is there anything that we should take note of regarding the quantity of fruit that we offer to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas? Does it have to be an odd number?
A:
The quantity of fruit offered to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas should be an odd number. Specifically, the amount for each layer of fruit should be an odd number, not the total amount of fruit.
For example, if you offer 4 apples, place 3 apples on the bottom layer and 1 apple on the top layer, you will then have an odd number for each layer.
It does not matter how many plates of fruit are offered.