Anisha Riggs
Burning incense is an ancient practice that is integral to Buddhism and is used to show respect, purify a space, and soothe the mind. The practice originated in India thousands of years ago before the birth of Buddha and has since been used by Buddhists to pray and meditate. In this article, we will explore the different types of incense, their significance in Buddhism, and the proper way to pray to Buddha using incense.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History of incense in Buddhism | Originated in India before the birth of Buddha, mentioned in the Pali Canon |
| Incense in other religions | Many religions use incense in their practice |
| Purpose of incense | To show respect, purify space, soothe the mind, and aid meditation |
| Incense alternatives | Dried flower petals can be used instead of incense |
| Incense type | Direct-burning or in-direct burning |
| Incense offering ritual | Light a candle, light the incense with the candle, bow to the Buddha with palms together, plant the unlit end of the incense in a bowl |
| Incense as a timer | Stick incense can be used as a meditation timer |
| Incense and health | Exposure to incense smoke is linked to health issues, but the acceptance of electronic incense is limited |
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What You'll Learn
Lighting the incense
Lighting incense is an ancient practice that is used in Buddhism to show respect, purify a space, soothe the mind, and aid in meditation. It is usually done in a quiet and clean place, and the person lighting the incense should first purify themselves by washing their hands and rinsing their mouth.
If you are using stick incense, you would usually light a candle first and then light the incense from the candle. Bow to the Buddha image with your palms together, and then, leaving one hand in the palms-together position, light one end of the incense. In Asia, it is considered disrespectful to blow out the flame, so instead, you can wave the incense sticks to put them out or fan the flames with your hands. If you are worried about flying sparks, hold the sticks straight up and then jerk them down quickly. Be careful, as burning incense sticks can get hot enough to cause blisters.
If you are using loose incense, you will need a small brazier or a simple box filled with ash or sand, containing a piece of burning charcoal. To make an offering, bow with palms together. Leaving the left hand in the palms-together position, take a pinch of loose incense with the fingers of your right hand. Touch the pinch of incense to your forehead, then drop the pellets onto the burning charcoal, creating a puff of fragrant smoke.
If you are using electronic incense, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), coating materials, and safe perfume vaporizers are used to simulate the appearance and aroma of burning incense. This is a healthier alternative to traditional incense, which can emit smoke and contribute to carcinogen-related health issues.
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Preparing the space
Firstly, it is important to select a quiet and clean space for prayer. This space should be free from distractions and interruptions, creating a peaceful atmosphere for meditation and chanting. It is also recommended to have a purification fountain or basin of water nearby for ritual cleansing. Before entering the prayer space, one should wash their hands and rinse their mouth, symbolically purifying themselves.
The altar, which can be a simple table or surface, should be set up with a statue or image of Buddha. This statue is typically placed in the centre, with any other statues or deities positioned to the sides. If using a home altar, it is customary to have a candle and an incense burner or bowl. The incense burner can be made of ceramic or metal, and it is used to hold the lit incense sticks and catch the falling ashes.
In terms of materials, one should have incense sticks, preferably short Japanese ones with a mild sandalwood scent. A candle is also necessary, as it is usually lit first, and the incense is then lit from the candle's flame. A lighter or separate flame source may be used as well. Additionally, it is common to have flowers, fruits, food, tea, or beverages as offerings, which should be placed in front of the Buddha statue and changed daily to maintain freshness.
Lastly, it is worth noting that the number of incense sticks burned can vary. Some schools of Buddhism suggest burning three sticks to represent the Three Treasures (the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha), while others suggest that a single stick is sufficient for daily practice.
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Bowing and chanting
When praying to Buddha with incense, it is customary to first light a candle and then light the incense from the candle. The standard practice is to then bow to the Buddha image with your palms pressed together. If you are using loose incense, you can leave your left hand in the palms-together position and take a pinch of loose incense with the fingers of your right hand. Touch the pinch of incense to your forehead, then drop the pellets onto burning charcoal, creating a puff of fragrant smoke.
If you are using stick incense, you can keep one hand in the palms-together position while lighting the incense. It is considered disrespectful to blow out the flame, so instead, you can wave the incense sticks to put them out or fan the flames with your hands. Be careful when handling burning incense as it can get hot enough to cause blisters. Place the unlit end of the incense stick into an incense bowl, which can be made of ceramic or metal.
The best times to practice praying with incense are early morning and evening when you are more relaxed and can better focus on your devotion. It is encouraged to do this in a quiet and clean place, and to first purify yourself by washing your hands and rinsing your mouth.
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Symbolism of incense
Incense is a universal ritual throughout Buddhism, and its use is mentioned in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date back to the life of the Buddha. It is a common offering to a revered person, such as the Buddha, as a sign of respect.
The burning of incense is thought to purify the space, be it a meditation hall or a room, and create a tranquil mood. It is also believed to purify one's thoughts and actions and help accumulate good karma. In some schools of Buddhism, incense may have a particular symbolic meaning. For example, three sticks burned together might signify the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha.
In some Asian temples, large coils of burning incense hang from the ceilings. In others, you might find loose incense burned on hot charcoal. In Jodo Shinshu temples, incense burners sit inside the temple, usually in front of the altar. In Tokyo's Sensōji temple, a large iron incense burner sits outside, where people offer incense and wave its smoke towards their bodies and heads, believing it will cure illnesses, bring good health, good luck, or make them smarter.
The ritual of burning incense before chanting or meditation helps focus one's attention and creates a pure space for the practice.
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Incense alternatives
While burning incense is a common practice in Buddhism, it is not a requirement. If you are looking for alternatives to incense, you can try the following:
Dried Flower Petals
Dried flower petals can be used as an alternative offering to incense. Place the petals in a bowl in front of the Buddha. Once the bowl is full, the petals can be composted.
Electronic Incense
Electronic incense burners are a health-friendly alternative to traditional incense. They use LED lights, coating materials, and safe perfume vaporizers to simulate the appearance and aroma of burning incense.
Loose Incense
Loose incense, also known as indirect burning incense, is another option. It requires a separate heat source, such as charcoal or embers, to burn and is often used in temples. To make an offering, bow with palms together, touch a pinch of loose incense to your forehead, and then drop the incense onto the burning charcoal.
No Incense
Buddhism advocates 'Heart Sincerity Buddha Bless', suggesting that Buddhists can pray without concern for the tools they use. Therefore, you can choose to pray without any incense or alternatives if you prefer.
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Frequently asked questions
If you're setting up a home altar, you should light a candle first and then light the incense from the candle. You can then bow to the Buddha image with your palms together and leave one hand in this position while you light the other end of the incense stick.
In Asia, it is considered disrespectful to blow out the flame of an incense stick. Instead, you can wave the incense sticks to put them out or fan the flames with your hands. Be careful of flying sparks and the heat of the sticks. You can then place the unlit end of the stick into an incense bowl.
You can use either direct or indirect burning incense. Direct burning incense can be lit with a flame and then immediately blown out, and will continue to burn until it is completely burned up or submerged in water, sand, or dirt. Indirect burning incense requires a separate heat source like charcoal or embers and will usually come in the form of loose incense.
