Anisha Riggs
Burning incense is a common practice in Buddhism, with incense sticks used to purify spaces for meditation, as offerings to the Buddha, and to symbolise unity and fusion. The number of incense sticks burned can vary depending on the specific intention and tradition, with some sources suggesting that burning one stick symbolises unity and the release of the incense of the heart, while others state that three sticks are burned to represent the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. In some traditions, five sticks are burned to seek protection from the Mother Goddess of the Forest, while seven sticks are burned to bring peace to wandering souls.
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What You'll Learn
Incense is a universal Buddhist custom
The use of incense in Buddhism is multi-faceted. Firstly, it is seen as a sign of respect and a common offering to a revered person, such as the Buddha. In Thailand, for example, joss sticks are often burnt for the Buddha, and sometimes for other gods as well. In Japan, the practice of offering incense is called "O-shōkō", which means "burn incense" or "incense offering". It is also believed that the fragrant smoke has medicinal properties and can bring good luck, health, and even enhance one's intelligence.
Incense is also used to create a sense of peace and sanctity in Buddhist spaces. The smoke is thought to purify the area, whether it is a meditation hall or a personal space, and it can help evoke a tranquil atmosphere. The type of incense used varies, with Japanese incense known for its subtle fragrance and less smoke, while Indian, Tibetan, and Japanese incense are commonly offered in Western "dharma supply" stores.
There are two main types of stick incense: coreless or "solid" incense, and incense with a bamboo core. The coreless variety is more appropriate for Buddhism as it burns away completely, but bamboo-cored incense is also commonly used. Incense can also be loose, with grains placed on hot charcoal to burn, or in the form of huge coils suspended from the ceilings of some Asian temples.
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Incense is offered at altars
Burning incense is not required in Buddhism, but it is frequently encountered when practising formally with other Buddhists. Incense is often offered at altars alongside flowers, food, drink, and garments as a sign of respect for a revered person. In Thailand, joss sticks are frequently burned for the Buddha and other gods, though this is a local tradition rather than a requirement.
When setting up a home altar, it is typical to light a candle first and then light the incense from the candle. Incense sticks can be planted into a ceramic or metal bowl filled with old incense ash, fine sand, or uncooked rice. Alternatively, ash catcher or boat incense burners can be used for incense with a bamboo core. However, these may not be suitable for solid incense.
The type of incense used can vary, with Japanese incense typically providing a more subtle fragrance and Tibetan incense offering a more assertive scent. Stick incense is commonly used in Buddhist temples, with coreless incense being more appropriate for Buddhism as it burns completely away. However, incense with a bamboo core is also commonly used, and in some Asian temples, huge coils of burning incense are suspended from the ceilings.
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Incense is used to purify spaces for meditation
Burning incense is an ancient practice found in all schools of Buddhism. Incense is believed to purify spaces used for meditation, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The practice of burning incense is also used to sanctify the space and encourage mindfulness and awareness.
In Buddhism, incense is burned for a variety of reasons, including daily prayers, funerals, special ceremonies, and paying respect to ancestors. The number of incense sticks burned can vary, with different numbers holding symbolic meanings. For example, burning one stick can symbolise the release of the "incense of the heart", achieving mental freedom, and breaking free of taboos. Three sticks are burned to represent the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. In Feng Shui, three sticks can also symbolise a request for personal favours, and a transition from instability to tranquility and equilibrium.
Seven incense sticks are burned to bring peace to wandering souls, and to connect with ancestors. In Feng Shui, seven is also considered a good number when asking for something personal. Five sticks are burned to seek protection from the Mother Goddess of the Forest, and to worship the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha, and one's parents and teachers. Two sticks are burned to honour spirits, and are placed on food.
When lighting incense, it is considered disrespectful to blow out the flame. Instead, the correct practice is to wave the stick to extinguish it, fan the flame with the hand, or hold the stick straight up and then jerk it down quickly. Incense sticks can get very hot, so caution is required to avoid burns and blisters. The sticks are then placed in special bowls filled with old incense ash, or uncooked rice.
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Incense is burned to commemorate occasions
Incense is burned to commemorate numerous occasions in Buddhism. It is believed to purify the space, creating a tranquil mood for meditation. It is also used as a meditation timer, with some manufacturers providing estimated burn times on the box. In Buddhist and Taoist cultures, incense is burned to mark special occasions such as funerals, ceremonies, daily prayers, and paying respect to ancestors.
In Thailand, three joss sticks are burned for the Buddha, and many other gods, though it is a local tradition and not a requirement. The three sticks represent the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. This tradition is also practised in other Buddhist cultures. In some temples, huge coils of burning incense are suspended from the ceilings.
The burning of incense is an ancient practice found in all schools of Buddhism. It is mentioned frequently in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date back to the life of the Buddha. Incense is offered at altars, alongside flowers, food, drink, and garments, as a sign of respect. The use of incense in Buddhist temples is one way to create a sense of peace and sanctity. The temples mainly use scented wood and herbs to offer a pleasant, aesthetically pleasing-smelling smoke. These scents have been proven to reduce anxiety and stress levels.
There are two kinds of stick incense: coreless or "solid" incense, and incense with a bamboo core. The coreless incense is more appropriate for Buddhism because it burns away completely. However, the bamboo-cored incense is the most widely used. Herbal incenses are used as a medicinal remedy. The main component is wood, which is cut into small pieces and ground into a powder mixture. The typical composition by weight of stick incense consists of 21% herbal and wood powder, 35% fragrance material, 11% adhesive powder, and 33% bamboo stick.
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Incense is believed to bring luck
The use of incense is an ancient practice that is almost universally carried out in Buddhism. It is mentioned frequently in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date back to the life of the Buddha. Incense is burned to commemorate various occasions, such as funerals, special ceremonies, daily prayers, and paying respects to ancestors.
In Buddhism, incense is believed to bring good luck and ward off bad luck. It is also used to show respect, symbolically purify a space, soothe the mind, and aid in meditation. The burning of incense is thought to create a tranquil and peaceful mood. In some schools of Buddhism, incense may have a particular symbolic meaning. For example, burning three sticks together is believed to signify the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
The type of incense and the number of sticks burned can vary depending on the specific tradition and purpose. In Thailand, for instance, joss sticks are frequently burned for the Buddha and other gods, but this is a local tradition rather than a requirement. Some people offer flowers or other items instead, or simply pray. When incense is offered to the Buddha, it is typically three sticks to represent the Three Treasures.
The two main types of stick incense used in Buddhism are coreless or "solid" incense and incense with a bamboo core. The coreless variety is considered more appropriate for Buddhism because it burns completely away, while the bamboo-cored type is more commonly used due to its wider availability and ease of use. The composition of stick incense typically includes herbal and wood powder, fragrance material, adhesive powder, and bamboo stick.
The practice of lighting incense often involves first lighting a candle and then using the candle's flame to light the incense. Blowing out the flame of the incense stick is generally discouraged in Asian cultures as it is considered disrespectful. Instead, people may wave the sticks to put them out or fan the flames with their hands. The burning end of the incense stick is usually held over an incense bowl filled with old incense ash, sand, or uncooked rice to catch any falling ash.
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Frequently asked questions
The number of incense sticks burned in Buddhism varies. Some sources say one, three, or five, while others say up to 108. The number burned may depend on the specific school of Buddhism, the region, and the purpose of the burning.
In Buddhism, burning one incense stick is said to represent releasing the "incense of the heart" and achieving mental freedom. It is also believed to prevent the violation of taboos and protect against temptation and lucidity.
In Buddhism, burning three incense sticks is believed to help one transcend towards equilibrium, stability, and infinity. The three sticks represent the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
In Buddhism, burning five incense sticks is associated with seeking protection from the Mother Goddess of the Forest. It is also said to be burned when worshipping the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha, father, mother, and teachers.
