Heidi Norton
Burning incense is a common practice in Buddhism, with the act itself holding a variety of meanings and purposes. Incense is burned to show respect, to purify a space, to aid meditation, and to symbolise the presence of Buddhist divinities. The practice is ancient, with incense mentioned in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date to the life of the Buddha. The type of incense used varies, with stick incense being the most popular, but also coil, cone, paper, and loose incense being common. The incense is burned at varying times, depending on the temple and service, and the way it is burned and offered also differs between schools of Buddhism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense types | Stick, cone, loose, coil, paper |
| Incense use | Purifying space, creating a tranquil mood, showing respect, soothing the mind, aiding meditation, offering to Buddha, burning as a timer |
| Incense significance | Symbolises Buddha dharma, evokes the presence of Buddhist divinities, represents the Three Jewels of Buddhism |
| Incense burners | Ceramic bowls, incense holders |
| Incense offering ritual | Light incense, hold up to eyebrow level, place in burner, bow to Buddha, chant |
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What You'll Learn
Incense as a divine odour
Buddhists regard incense as a "divine odour", evoking the presence of Buddhist divinities. The act of burning incense is an ancient practice, almost universal in Buddhism, and it is mentioned frequently in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date to the life of the Buddha. Incense is burned as a sign of respect, to purify a space, and to help soothe the mind.
The type of incense and the way it is burned can vary between different schools of Buddhism. In Jodo Shinshu, people may offer incense whenever visiting a temple, or at services—either before, during, or after, depending on the temple and service. To offer incense in the Higashi Honganji tradition, one would put two pinches of ground incense in the burner, place both hands together, recite "Namu Amida Butsu", bow once and step away. In some other traditions, long sticks of burning incense are placed standing in burners.
In Western countries, Buddhists most commonly use stick or cone incense. The stick variety is usually made by covering a bamboo stick with a thick coating of incense paste and fragrance. These are placed in sand in a ceramic bowl or in a stick incense holder. The coreless or "solid" incense variety is more appropriate for Buddhism because it burns away completely, but bamboo-cored incense is also commonly used.
Burning incense is also used as a timer to know how long one has been meditating or praying. These types of incense are called time-keeper incense clocks and are designed to burn at different rates. Some burn for only a few months, while others can burn for several months.
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Incense for purification
Burning incense is a universal ritual in Buddhism, with incense being offered at altars and temples, as well as in the home. It is used to purify spaces, such as meditation halls, and to create a tranquil mood. The use of incense in Buddhism is believed to stretch back to the life of the Buddha, with the practice being mentioned in the Pali Canon.
Incense is offered as a sign of respect, and it is believed that the smell evokes the presence of Buddhist divinities. It is also used to commemorate various occasions, such as funerals, special ceremonies, and daily prayers, as well as to ward off bad luck and bring good luck. In some schools of Buddhism, incense may also have symbolic meanings. For example, three sticks burned together may represent the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha.
There are two main types of incense used in Buddhism: stick incense and loose incense. Stick incense is more commonly used in temples and comes in two varieties: 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 core incense is also commonly used. Loose incense is burned by dropping grains of incense onto hot charcoal.
When burning incense, it is considered disrespectful to blow out the flame. Instead, the incense stick should be waved to put it out, or the flame can be fanned with the hand. To avoid the risk of flying sparks, the stick can be held straight up and then jerked down quickly. Incense sticks should be planted into an incense bowl, which can be made of ceramic or metal.
In addition to the type of incense and the ritual of burning it, the fragrance of the incense is also important in Buddhism. The fragrance is said to symbolise Buddha dharma, with the truth awakening those who visit the temple as the smoke of incense subtly sinks into their bodies and minds.
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Incense for meditation
Incense plays a significant role in Buddhism, with burning incense being a universal ritual. The practice is ancient, stretching back to the beginning of human history, and it is mentioned in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date to the life of the Buddha. Incense is burned in Buddhist temples and ceremonies, and it is also used by individuals during meditation.
There are two main types of incense: direct-burning and indirect-burning. Direct-burning incense, such as stick or cone incense, can be lit directly with a flame and does not require a separate heat source. Indirect-burning incense, also known as loose incense, is placed on hot charcoal or embers to burn and produce fragrance. Both types of incense can be used for meditation, but there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing and using incense for this purpose.
When selecting incense for meditation, it is essential to choose natural materials and avoid chemical ingredients that may be harmful to your health. The type of fragrance you prefer is also important, as different scents can create different moods and atmospheres. For meditation, calming and soothing fragrances are often preferred, such as lavender, sandalwood, or jasmine.
To use incense for meditation, it is important to create a safe and comfortable space. Ensure that you are in a well-ventilated area and practise fire safety precautions. Place the incense in a burner or holder specifically designed for incense, following any relevant cultural or traditional guidelines, such as the gassho position and bowing in the Higashi Honganji tradition.
The burning of incense can also be used as a timer for meditation. These are known as time-keeper incense clocks and are designed to burn at different rates, providing a visual and fragrant indication of the passage of time. Incense can help create a tranquil and meditative atmosphere, purify the space, and soothe the mind, making it a valuable aid for those who practise meditation.
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Incense as an offering
Incense is a universal ritual in Buddhism, with the practice stretching back to the beginning of human history. It is mentioned in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date to the life of the Buddha, and is offered at temples and altars. The burning of incense is not a requirement in Buddhism, but it is a common way to show respect, purify a space, soothe the mind, and aid in meditation. Buddhists regard incense as a "'divine odour', evoking the presence of Buddhist divinities.
The type of incense and the way it is burned can vary between different schools of Buddhism and individual temples. For example, in Jodo Shinshu, people may offer incense whenever visiting a temple or during services, while in some other traditions, long sticks of burning incense are placed standing in burners. The most common types of incense used in Buddhism are stick incense and loose incense. Stick incense is usually made by covering a bamboo stick with a thick coating of incense paste and fragrance. It is placed in sand in a ceramic bowl or in a stick incense holder. Loose incense is burned by dropping grains of incense onto hot charcoal.
When offering incense, Buddhists may follow specific rituals. For example, in the Higashi Honganji tradition, one would put two pinches of ground incense in the burner, place both hands together in the "gassho" position, recite "Namu Amida Butsu", bow once, and step away. When burning stick incense, it is common to break the stick in half or into thirds, light it, and place it lying down in a burner. For coil incense, one would light the coil with the burning tip facing forward, hold it up to eyebrow level as a bow to the Buddha, and then gently place it in the burner.
The number of incense sticks burned can also hold symbolic meaning. For example, burning three sticks together can signify the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha. Incense is also believed to have medicinal properties and is thought to bring good luck, health, and success in various endeavours.
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Incense for health and luck
Incense plays a significant role in Buddhism, and it is believed that burning incense can bring health and luck. The use of incense is an ancient practice found in all schools of Buddhism, and it is mentioned frequently in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date back to the life of the Buddha.
The act of burning incense is believed to purify the space, creating a tranquil and serene environment for meditation and prayer. Buddhists regard the smell of incense as a "divine odour", evoking the presence of Buddhist divinities. In some schools of Buddhism, incense may also carry symbolic meanings. For instance, burning three sticks of incense together may represent the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha.
When choosing incense for health and luck, there are a few types that are particularly noteworthy. Firstly, herbal incenses are commonly used as a medicinal remedy. These incenses often contain natural ingredients that can promote physical and mental well-being. Additionally, Japanese incense is known for its subtle fragrance and less smoke, making it a suitable option for those seeking a more gentle and understated aroma. Japanese incense is often preferred by those who want to avoid the potential health risks associated with excessive smoke inhalation.
Another type of incense that is believed to bring health and luck is the traditional Buddhist incense known as O-shōkō in Japanese. This incense is presented as an offering to the Buddha or bodhisattvas, such as Amida Buddha or Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion. People offer this incense with various intentions, including curing illnesses, seeking good health, attracting good luck, or even succeeding in business endeavours.
It is important to note that while incense holds symbolic and spiritual significance in Buddhism, there are potential health risks associated with burning and inhaling incense smoke. Some studies have shown that incense smoke, especially in enclosed spaces and without proper ventilation, can be hazardous to respiratory health. As such, it is recommended to exercise caution and explore alternative methods, such as using essential oils or electric incense burners, to mitigate the potential negative impacts on health while still reaping the spiritual and symbolic benefits of incense.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning incense is an ancient practice that is almost universally carried out in Buddhism. It is used to show respect, to purify a space, to soothe the mind, and to aid in meditation. Buddhists regard incense as a "divine odour", evoking the presence of Buddhist divinities.
Incense can be either direct or indirect burning. Direct-burning incense can be lit with a flame and includes stick, cone, paper, and coil incense. Indirect-burning incense requires a separate heat source like charcoal and is usually called loose incense. In Western countries, Buddhists most commonly use stick or cone incense.
The ritual for burning incense can vary depending on the type of Buddhism and the temple. In Higashi Honganji temples, practitioners put two pinches of ground incense in the burner, place their hands together, recite a prayer, bow once, and step away. The incense is then lit and placed in the burner. In some traditions, the incense is held up to eyebrow level as a bow to the Buddha before being placed in the burner.
Three sticks of burning incense can represent the Three Jewels or Treasures of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Buddha's teachings (dharma), and the Buddhist monk community (sangha).
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