Katrina Rosales
Incense is a universal ritual in Buddhism, with the practice stretching back to the beginning of human history. It is mentioned frequently in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date to the life of the Buddha. Burning incense is used to show respect, to purify a place of worship, to aid meditation, and to symbolise the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha. Incense is also believed to have health benefits, with scientists suggesting that it can be a supportive treatment for depression.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | The origin of incense is unclear, but it has been in India since ancient times. |
| Purpose | Incense is used to show respect, purify a space, and aid meditation. |
| Symbolic meaning | Incense symbolises the Three Treasures/Jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha. |
| Types | Direct burning incense, indirect burning incense, stick incense, loose incense, coreless/solid incense, incense with a bamboo core. |
| Rituals | Incense is offered at altars, placed in burners, and used in meditation practices. |
| Health benefits | Incense has been found to have potential brain health benefits and may be a supportive treatment for depression. |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used to show respect
Incense is used in Buddhism to show respect. It is a universal ritual in Buddhism, with the practice stretching back to the beginning of human history. The use of incense is mentioned frequently in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date to the life of the Buddha.
Incense is often used as an offering to a revered person, such as the Buddha, and is placed in an incense burner, typically a large metal urn. In Jodo Shinshu temples, incense burners sit inside the temple, usually in front of the altar. Incense is also used to make offerings before daily chanting or meditation practice, helping to focus attention and create a pure space for the practice.
In some schools of Buddhism, incense has a particular symbolic meaning. For example, three sticks burned together might signify the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha. The act of burning incense can also symbolise the truth of interdependence and the truth of impermanence, dynamic change, or nothing lasting forever.
Incense is also used to purify a place of worship, such as a meditation hall or temple, and to soothe the mind. It is believed that incense creates a tranquil mood and has a positive impact on brain health. It is also believed to help accumulate good karma, although this belief does not follow the teachings of Jodo Shinshu's founder, Shinran Shonin, who believed that understanding one's true nature is key to understanding life.
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It is a purifier of space
Incense is a common ritual in Buddhism, with its use stretching back to the beginning of human history. It is mentioned in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date to the life of the Buddha, where it is mentioned as an offering to revered persons as a sign of respect.
The burning of incense symbolically purifies the space where it is burned, whether that be a meditation hall, temple, or one's own room. The sweet fragrance of incense is believed to cleanse the air, purifying one's thoughts and actions. It is also believed to help accumulate good karma, which extinguishes sins and enables one to go to the Pure Land when they die.
In Buddhism, incense is used to create a pure space for meditation, as well as to focus one's attention. The fragrance of incense is believed to be important, as it remains even after the wood, flame, and smoke have disappeared. This can trigger a sense of peace and connection, enhancing one's meditation practice.
The use of incense in Buddhism also has practical applications. For example, stick incense is used as a meditation timer, with manufacturers providing estimated burn times. Additionally, the smoke from incense can help to repel insects, which is believed to have originated from a story where the Buddha asked for incense to be lit during his talks to avoid the needless taking of life.
The act of burning incense is also a way to show respect and honour the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, creating positive conditions and supporting the accumulation of good karma. It is a universal ritual in Buddhism, with nearly all spiritual paths including it in their practices.
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Incense is used as a meditation timer
Incense is a universal ritual in Buddhism, with the practice stretching back to the beginning of human history. It is used as a way to show respect, to purify a space, and to aid in meditation.
In Buddhism, incense is often used as a meditation timer. Direct-burning incense sticks, for example, can be lit with a flame and immediately blown out. A self-sustaining, glowing ember will then slowly burn until it is completely burned up. Some manufacturers will provide estimated burn times on the box. This type of incense is usually made by covering a bamboo stick with a thick coating of incense paste and fragrance.
Indirect-burning incense, on the other hand, cannot burn on its own and requires a separate and constant heat source. This type of incense is usually called loose incense, and the heat source is typically charcoal or embers from some other combustible material. In some Asian temples, huge coils of burning incense are suspended from the ceilings.
Burning incense is also believed to have health benefits. Scientists have found that incense is good for the brain and can be used as a supportive treatment for depression.
In addition to its practical uses, incense also holds symbolic meaning in Buddhism. For example, three sticks burned together might signify the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha.
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It symbolises the Three Treasures of Buddhism
Burning incense is a universal ritual in Buddhism, though its meaning is interpreted differently across various sects. In Buddhism, incense is offered at altars and is used during chanting and meditation. It is believed to purify the space and create a tranquil environment.
Incense is also symbolic. Three sticks of incense burned together are believed to symbolise the Three Treasures of Buddhism, also known as the Triple Gem or Three Jewels in Mahayana and Theravada traditions. The Three Treasures are the treasure of the Buddha, the treasure of the Dharma (or the Law), and the treasure of the Sangha (or the priesthood). The Buddha is the founder of Buddhism, the Dharma refers to the Buddha's teachings, and the Sangha represents the community of Buddhists.
The three sticks of incense, therefore, represent the unity of the practitioner, the Buddha, and all beings. The act of burning incense is also a visual reminder of the impermanence of life. The incense burns away, leaving only its fragrance, symbolising how nothing lasts forever.
The specific way in which the incense is burned also holds meaning. In Nichiren Shoshu, a school of Nichiren Buddhism, the incense is laid on its side so that the ashes do not scatter. This is because they believe that scattered ashes represent a scattered mind.
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Incense can help accumulate good karma
Burning incense is a universal ritual in Buddhism, with the practice stretching back to the beginning of human history. Incense is commonly used to purify a place of worship, such as a meditation hall or temple, and to create a tranquil and focused atmosphere for meditation. Incense is also offered at altars as a sign of respect, and it is mentioned frequently in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date to the life of the Buddha.
The fragrance of incense is particularly important in Buddhism. It is believed that the scent remains even after the wood, flame, and smoke have disappeared, symbolizing the truth of impermanence and dynamic change. This teaches Buddhists about the inseparable nature of life and death and the interdependence of all things.
Incense is also used as a meditation timer, with the length of the stick or the burn time indicating how long one has been meditating. This helps Buddhists focus their attention and create a pure space for their practice.
While the use of incense in Buddhism has various symbolic meanings, it is also believed to have scientific benefits. Research has suggested that incense may have a positive impact on brain health and could be a supportive treatment for depression.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is used in Buddhism to show respect, purify a space, and soothe the mind. It is also used as a meditation timer.
There are two main types of incense: direct-burning and indirect-burning. Direct-burning incense can be lit with a flame and will continue burning until it is submerged in water, sand, or dirt, or until it burns out. Indirect-burning incense requires a separate heat source, such as charcoal, and does not burn completely.
Buddhists will often bow with their palms together and touch a pinch of loose incense to their forehead before dropping it onto burning charcoal. They may also plant the unlit end of a stick of incense into an incense bowl filled with incense ash, uncooked rice, or sand.
