Incenses

fltnr1

What is a traditional,common incenses used in buddhist meditations?

Mountains

Any incense you happen to like.

vinlyn

I see it as a crutch. And be careful, it can harm and kill small pets.

Mountains

A crutch? Used in just about every Buddhist ceremony, temple, and altar I've ever seen?? How a crutch?

vinlyn

A crutch? Used in just about every Buddhist ceremony, temple, and altar I've ever seen?? How a crutch?

In the early days, incense was used to obscure decay during funerals. I would hope that none of our posters are living in a situation where that is needed.

As far as I know, in terms of religious uses, that leaves "to create a mood". For what? To meditate? If so, that's a crutch. No one should need incense to meditate.

Now, if one wants to deodorize their living space, well okay, but that has nothing to do with Buddhism. And, incidentally, I can't recall widespread use of incense in Thai temples, although joss sticks are common, but that is a slightly different purpose -- an offering to Buddha or devas or heaven. I don't really think real Buddhist thought would play a part in that...in my view just empty tradition.

Mountains

Incense can be a tool to help foster mindfulness. If you choose to see it as a crutch and don't want to use it, that's fine. But I see absolutely nothing wrong with it (nor do any other Buddhists I'm familiar with), and I don't think we should be discouraging newcomers with our own issues...

@fltnr1 - by all means use it if you like it. There is no special "Buddhist incense" that I'm aware of. Just whatever pleases your senses...

MindGate

I see it as a crutch. And be careful, it can harm and kill small pets.

The term small is relative. Small like a hermit crab? Hamster? Bird? Cat? Dog? Pig? Monkey? Horse?

vinlyn

Definitely birds due to their different type of respiratory system.

aura

Very thoroughly clean the meditation space
Open wide all windows
Burn a very little nag champa incense in the meditation space
(mag champa is quite strong!)
Bless/dedicate the space
Extinguish the incense
Thoroughly air out meditation space
Meditation space is now all clean, fresh, blessed, aired out
and ready for meditation!

fltnr1

The term small like a hermit crab.What does this actualy mean?Is this a tradition meaning are a standard? Please explain.I understand the potential of the possible toxins. Do we not pump gas to fuel our cars,are their more important toxins that we breath every day.I guess one must pick which toxin is best for oneself.I just wish to learn buddhism and not ecofriendly personal practices.I wish to learn the way of the buddah only.Thanks for all of your input.

MindGate

The term small like a hermit crab.What does this actualy mean?Is this a tradition meaning are a standard? Please explain.I understand the potential of the possible toxins. Do we not pump gas to fuel our cars,are their more important toxins that we breath every day.I guess one must pick which toxin is best for oneself.I just wish to learn buddhism and not ecofriendly personal practices.I wish to learn the way of the buddah only.Thanks for all of your input.

... Huh?

vixthenomad

@vinlyn - so I take it you don't like incense then...

SattvaPaul

There is a multitude of non-toxic incenses. Japanese (and Chinese I think) are very subtle, while Tibetan can be a bit strong for a small room. Indian ones are very aromatic and contain a stick that's not so good for you I think.

These are lovely and very affordable:
http://www.dharma-store.com/mainichi-koh-incense-pr-16253.html

SattvaPaul

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vinlyn

@vinlyn - so I take it you don't like incense then...

I don't care about it one way or the other.

I remember three things that may demonstrate what I am trying to say about incense being a crutch.

One time a friend, upon learning I was Buddhist, said something along the lines of, "Oh, so I guess you're into yoga and incense and...."

Another time, someone said to me, "So if I want to Buddhist I guess I've got to go out and get a Buddha statue and some incense?"

And on another occasion, while talking to a Buddhist monk in Thailand, I was lamenting that it's much more difficult when not in a Buddhist country to be Buddhist since there are so very few Buddhist temples. Part of his response was, "Everything you see here -- the bot, the joss sticks, the ... , and even the statue of Buddha, have nothing to do with Buddhism. Everything you need for Buddhism is right here," and he touched the top of my head.

Mountains

The fact that a non-Buddhist thinks that incense is part of yoga an Buddhism is about as irrelevant as anything I can imagine here.

Incense are what they are. If you like and want to use them, then by all means do so. Birds are especially sensitive to airborne particulates (don't keep a bird in your kitchen if you use Teflon cookware - they'll die - which should give you pause before you put that fried egg in your mouth). Most other animals aren't bothered much by such small amounts of airborne stuff. The air we breathe regularly in most parts of the developed world is full of nasty things that are far worse than incense smoke. The stick in some incense is just a piece of wood, and no worse for you than standing by a campfire.