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This practice requires the student to have permission/empowerment received from a qualified master in order to engage in the self-generation of the deity. However, it is permitted to do this practice without such an empowerment as long as you do not generate yourself as the deity. Instead, you should generate the deity at the crown of your head or in front of you instead of self-generation.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche advises FPMT centers and study groups to do the practice of Sur regularly.
Rinpoche strongly emphasizes the importance of this practice in helping centers clear obstacles and create merit by making charity to the sentient beings of the 6 realms. Rinpoche said that this practice is very beneficial in general for sentient beings and in particular for pretas.
Once the practice is started it is important to try to do it every day. The best time to do it is in the evening. Rinpoche said centers could set up a roster system, having individuals or small groups taking responsibility to do the practice of Sur for a period of time.
24 pages. 2006 edition.
Click here for the commentary on Sur Offering by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.