Incense - Yes or No

[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.

[Cittasanto]

yes but only as a room fragrances! not for anything else

[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...

Be well...

[jcsuperstar]

i use it as a meditation timer... a hold over from my zen days...

[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,
Retro.

[Fede]

In a household where life revolves around the studious activity of the Alpha male round here (! ) 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.

[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.
Kind regards

Ben

[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

[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!

Om mani padme hum
Keith

[Placid-pool]

All the time - as a purification and a centraliser. I am an incense nut.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Keith,

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

Metta,
Retro.

[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

[thecap]

[x] room fragrance
[ ] ritualistic purpose

Sandalwood is nice...

[David N. Snyder]

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.

[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

Graham

[thecap]

Fragrance oil might be a good alternative, because it's not burned but evaporated.

[Placid-pool]

Doesn't bother me, I smoke.

[David N. Snyder]

:lol: Doesn't bother me, I smoke.

That's one way to "solve" the problem. Apparently there is no rule against smoking in the Vinaya or for lay people, but since it can be dangerous to one's health, I still try to avoid cigarette smoke. Maybe I need to add incense to the list.

[Placid-pool]

I do try to be careful around my Old Feller who doesn't smoke and I have stopped using my thurible - incense with charcoal tablet - because it really can fumigate the place.

but it can be really dangerous for other people's health when I don't smoke so I see it as a compassionate act to continue smoking ... at least I don't go around wishing to kill everyone

[Individual]

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.

I use incense daily, as a part of an offering ritual (lighting a candle and incense for Gautama). For meditation, sometimes I use it, sometimes I don't. It can be relaxing, but it can also be a distraction. I honestly don't know about its long-term health effects.