Incense - Yes or No

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retrofuturist
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Incense - Yes or No

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,

I was just wondering if people use incense and under what circumstances and for what purposes they would use it?

I don't use it often, mainly because I don't see the need and because my wife doesn't like it. I did however get a small packet of Japanese incense the other day and it's actually quite nice. Better than the stuff from the $2 shop.

Metta,
Retro. :)
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Cittasanto
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Re: Incense - Yes or No

Post by Cittasanto »

yes but only as a room fragrances! not for anything else
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appicchato
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Re: Incense - Yes or No

Post by appicchato »

It's an intregal part of the program where I am (in a wat in Thailand)...it is lit before every ceremony going, usually three sticks (a single stick at a funeral) , both communally and individualy...all the time...to represent (I believe) the Triple Gem....it's nice, as mentioned, for the fragrance, and also works well on the mosquitos... :lol:

Be well... ;)
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Re: Incense - Yes or No

Post by jcsuperstar »

i use it as a meditation timer... a hold over from my zen days...
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retrofuturist
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Re: Incense - Yes or No

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings venerable Appicchato,

Oh yes, I forgot to include that when I go for meditation at lunchtime at a nearby Mahayana temple I offer a stick of incense to the Buddha.

JC ~ Yes, I've used it for that purpose before too... I must have heard a Zen practitioner mention it and thought it sounded like a sensible idea.

Metta,
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Fede
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Re: Incense - Yes or No

Post by Fede »

In a household where life revolves around the studious activity of the Alpha male round here (! :D ) I rarely get the opportunity for quiet time, as I work full time (lately, for the past 2 months or so, it's been a six - occasionally 7 - day-week for me!) So any time I get for quiet reflection, introspection and meditation has been a bit like rocking horse droppings.

I find therefore, if I get a moment to light an incence stick, the fragrance helps to keep me focussed and centred, as I go about whatever daily task I'm doing. Usually a domestic necessity.
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Ben
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Re: Incense - Yes or No

Post by Ben »

Actually, I don't use incense other than as a room fragrance, and incense gets used in this household regularly for that purpose.
I've noted some friends who practice zazen also use incense as a meditation timer which I think is neat.
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Jason
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Re: Incense - Yes or No

Post by Jason »

Retro,

No, I don't really like the smell. I will use some when I visit temples, but even then, not very often.

Jason
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KeithBC
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Re: Incense - Yes or No

Post by KeithBC »

Smell is the sense most closely linked to memory. My experience is that, if one always has incense for meditation, then the smell of incense can trigger recollection of meditation. I find this useful when my mind wanders: one good whiff and I remember what I am there for!

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Placid-pool
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Re: Incense - Yes or No

Post by Placid-pool »

All the time - as a purification and a centraliser. I am an incense nut. :shock:
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retrofuturist
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Re: Incense - Yes or No

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings Keith,

That's a good point... I have a similar response.

Metta,
Retro. :)
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GrahamR
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Incense - Yes or No

Post by GrahamR »

Hi

I read not so long ago that incense is just as carcinogenic as cigarette smoke, so we don't use it in the house any more, just outside!

Graham
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thecap
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Re: Incense - Yes or No

Post by thecap »

[x] room fragrance
[ ] ritualistic purpose

Sandalwood is nice...
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DNS
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Re: Incense - Yes or No

Post by DNS »

I like incense, but heard or read somewhere once that the smoke can be almost as bad as second-hand smoke from cigarettes. Anyone know about the science of that?

So since then, I only light incense when I am leading a group at my place or when the monks come over.
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GrahamR
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Re: Incense - Yes or No

Post by GrahamR »

I really wouldn't use them indoors!

'Burning joss sticks 'as deadly as traffic fumes or cigarette smoke'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/30/health" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Graham
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