Antonio Mcgowan
Incense has been used for centuries in many religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. It is placed in front of shrines and burned to symbolise the purification of the surrounding area and to bring forth a divine presence. The smoke from the incense is seen as a representation of prayers rising to heaven in Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches. Incense is also used to repel insects, perfume the air, and uplift the souls of pilgrims.
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used for purification
In Hinduism, incense is offered to God in his various forms, such as Krishna and Rama, as part of daily ritual worship. It is also used in the regular rite of purifying and cleansing the Ka'aba in Makkah in Islam. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted by Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven, as mentioned in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice."
Incense is also used in purification rituals in Christianity, as seen in the Revelation of John, where incense symbolizes the prayers of the saints in heaven, and in the daily ritual worship within the Hindu tradition. The use of incense in Christian worship is inspired by passages in the Bible and has been employed since antiquity.
The act of offering incense before chanting or meditation helps to focus attention and create a pure space for the practice. It is believed that the fragrant smoke from burning incense purifies the surroundings and uplifts the souls of pilgrims.
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It is a way to repel insects
The use of incense in front of shrines is a common practice in many religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. It is believed to bring forth an assembly of buddhas, bodhisattvas, gods, and demons in Buddhism. In Hinduism, it is offered to God in his various forms, such as Krishna and Rama. Incense is also used in Islam to purify and cleanse the Ka'aba in Makkah, as well as in Judaism and Christianity as a symbol of the purification of the surroundings and the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
One specific reason for placing incense in front of shrines is its ability to repel insects. Building upon the principle of ahimsa, or non-violence, burning incense acts as a natural repellent for various insects, reducing the likelihood of killing "pests." This practice aligns with the Buddhist belief in intentional effort, where rituals and items that ease one's practice are encouraged.
The type of incense used can vary depending on personal preference and cultural traditions. Japanese incense is known for its subtle fragrance and is recommended for those seeking a milder scent. On the other hand, Tibetan incense offers a more assertive fragrance. The quality and fragrance of incense can vary widely, and it is generally available in stick, cone, or loose forms.
When offering incense, it is customary to follow specific rituals. In Buddhism, it is common to bow with palms together, light the incense from a candle, and then touch the incense to the forehead before placing it in a holder filled with non-flammable sand or ash. This ritual is believed to create a pure space and enhance one's focus during chanting or meditation practices.
It is important to note that the smoke produced by burning incense may increase the risk of cancer, although it is considered less risky than smoking. As such, fire safety precautions should be followed, especially when incense is burned indoors or in the presence of children or pets.
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Incense is offered as a sign of respect
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, such as Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hand, as the evening sacrifice." The smoke of burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven. In Islam, incense is used in the regular rite of purifying and cleansing the Ka'aba in Makkah, as well as in the Tahfidh graduation ceremony.
In East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto shrines, incense is burned to purify the surroundings and invite various deities and ancestors. Worshippers light and burn sticks of incense, waving or raising them above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques. The sticks are then placed vertically into individual censers located in front of the statues or plaques, either singularly or in threes, depending on the status of the deity or the feelings of the individual.
The specific way of offering incense varies, but generally, it involves lighting a candle, bowing to the revered person or statue, and then lighting the incense from the candle. The incense stick may be held in the gassho position, with the left hand in a palms-together position, and then touched to the forehead once or three times before being placed in a holder filled with non-flammable sand. It is considered disrespectful to blow out the flame, and instead, the flame should be gently waved out or fanned with the hand.
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It is used to symbolise prayer
Incense is used in many religious contexts to symbolise prayer. In Buddhism, for example, incense is offered to Buddha before daily chanting or meditation to focus attention and create a pure space for the practice. In East Asian Buddhist ceremonies, worshippers light and burn sticks of incense in small or large bundles, which they wave or raise above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors. Individual sticks of incense are then placed vertically, either singularly or in threes, into individual censers located in front of the statues or plaques, depending on the status of the deity or the feelings of the individual.
Incense is also used in Hindu worship as an offering to God in his various forms, such as Krishna and Rama. In Christian worship, the smoke of burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to heaven. This symbolism is seen in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice".
In Islam, incense is used in the regular rite of purifying and cleansing the Ka'aba in Makkah, as well as in the Tahfidh graduation ceremony.
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Incense is used to focus attention
Incense is used in a variety of religious and spiritual practices, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. In the context of shrines, incense is often placed or burned in front of statues or plaques of deities, ancestors, or revered figures as a form of offering or sacrifice.
One of the key purposes of burning incense is to focus attention and create a sacred space for spiritual practices such as chanting or meditation. The act of offering incense with reverence and respect can help to bring one's attention to the present moment and engage the olfactory sense in a ritual. This can be especially important in Buddhist practices, where incense is used to enhance mindfulness and focus during meditation.
The use of incense can also carry symbolic meanings that vary across different traditions. In Buddhism, for example, incense may symbolize the purification of the surroundings and the invocation of divine beings. In Christianity, the smoke from burning incense may symbolize the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, as mentioned in the Bible's Psalm 141:2 ("Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight").
The specific rituals and methods of offering incense can differ between traditions and personal practices. In Buddhist traditions, incense sticks are often lit with a candle or match, and the flame is extinguished by waving or fanning instead of blowing out. The lit incense stick may be waved or raised above the head while bowing to the statue or plaque before placing it in a censer or holder. In Hindu traditions, incense sticks are offered to God by rotating them thrice in a clockwise direction.
The type and fragrance of incense also vary, with Japanese incense known for its subtlety and Tibetan incense for its assertiveness. The choice of incense depends on personal preference and the desired intensity of the scent.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is placed in front of shrines as a religious offering and to purify the surroundings.
Incense is typically made from aromatic materials like frankincense, benzoin, myrrh, styrax, copal, and other natural resins.
The incense stick is lit with a candle or match, then waved out or fanned with the hand. It is then placed in a holder with non-flammable sand to collect the ashes.
Incense is an ancient practice in Buddhism, mentioned in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date to the life of the Buddha. It is offered as a sign of respect and to bring a sacredness to the moment through scent.
Some people use fragrant tea, such as jasmine tea, as an alternative to burning incense. Others pass incense through the room without leaving it there.
