Lamp is the symbol of light and wisdom in Tibetan Buddhism. Early in the ancient times, lamps were used as one of the ten offerings. It is hoped that the butter lamps can light up people's hearts. So many butter lamps conveying religious believers’ never-ending piety and prayer are usually used in the temples or other sacred sites in order to help Buddhists linking with gods spiritually.

Lighting butter lamps is a remarkable feature of Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries throughout the Himalayas. The lamps traditionally burn clarified yak butter, but now often use vegetable oil.In Lhasa, many people shall go to the temples to light up a certain amount of butter lamps to pray well-being and happiness for their family and friends.

Each morning Tibetans offer a lighted butter lamp, representing the illumination of wisdom. At funeral ceremonies or when visiting temples and going on pilgrimage to sacred sites, Tibetan Buddhists often light a large number of butter lamps together at one time. Externally, the lights are seen to banish darkness.