View allAll Photos Tagged incense_sticks
Week 216 Assignment 2 alternate for Take A Class With Dave and Dave.
Smoke Trails This assignment is for you all to have a little fun with. It is a bit challenging, but the images you can get from it can be pretty impressive. Below are some links to help you get started. Grab a candle, incense sticks or even a match and see what you can come up with. Feel free to color or modify the images as you see fit.
Loy Krathong is the famous festival that occurs each year during the full moon of November.
Loi literally means 'to float,' while krathong refers to the lotus-shaped receptacle which can float on the water. Originally, the krathong was made of banana leaves or the layers of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. A krathong contains food, betel nuts, flowers, joss sticks, candle and coins. Modern krathongs are more often made of bread or styrofoam. A bread krathong will disintegrate in a few a days and be eaten by fish and other animals. The traditional banana stalk krathongs are also biodegradable, but styrofoam krathongs are frowned on, since they are polluting and may take years to disappear. Regardless of the composition, a krathong will be decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks. A low value coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits. During the night of the full moon, Thais will float their krathong on a river, canal or a pond lake. The festival is believed to originate in an ancient practice of paying respect to the spirit of the waters. Today it is simply a time to have fun.
Governmental offices, corporations and other organizations usually create big decorated rafts. There are also local and officially organised raft competitions, regarding its beauty and craftsmanship. In addition, there are also fireworks and beauty contests during the celebration of the festival.
© All rights reserved, don't use without permission
The Pagoda of the Celestial Lady (Thien Mu Pagoda) is an historic iconic seven-story temple in the city of Hue, Vietnam.
Ganga Aarti is a spectacular evening ceremony that takes place everyday at the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi (India) at the bank of the holy river Ganga. This ceremony is attended by thousands of visitors everyday and considered as one of the most colourful event of India.
A group of young priests dressed up with silky robes conduct this ceremony. The Aarti (puja offerings) starts with the chanting of hymns and prayers in the praise of the Holy River. After that, the priests perform different offerings in choreographed manner from their respective platforms which include - blowing of conch shells, burning of incense sticks and waving them in an elaborate synchronized manner in all the directions with their right hand, while ringing the ceremonial prayer bell with the left hand, circular waving of large multi-tiered oil lamps and a big brass camphor lamp, with a dramatic snake hood in clockwise directions, to and fro in a synchronized manner, and waving of the Peacock’s feather and Yak-tail fan in similar choreographed manner. The priests end the ceremony by pouring a bowl of water into the river. Upon which, the devotees let go of thousands of small oil lamps with flowers on a leaf to float on the river that would look like numerous stars on the water.
The whole ceremony is a spectacle of sound and colour and takes around 45 minutes. The devotional chanting, the pulsating sound of ceremonial bells, gongs and drums, the circular waving of large lamps, the heavy air from the burning incense, the floating floral lamps, all create a magical, enchanted atmosphere that makes for a dramatic sensory experience well worth experiencing.
Images of India
Tidying the shrine at Wat Maheyong. Dresses on clothes hangers, pop bottles, small statues, even cigarettes, and incense sticks, all offered to the spirits under the tree.
this was a blast.
All I could find was the incense cones I bought at the Great Lakes Medieval Faire a few years back. The cones give off a thicker trail of smoke, so next time I want to try this with incense sticks. Anyone have a favorite brand / scent to recommend.
It took several seconds for it to register in my mind that these are jumbo sized incense sticks! Yes, I have seen Taoist/ Chinese temples before and I have seen jumbo, pillar sized joss sticks being burnt before, but never have I seen them in complete, mint, unburnt condition. Yes, these beautiful things bearing a very pleasing colour scheme and a nice dragon motif are all joss /incense sticks that will be bought and burnt by devouts at Chinese temples elsewhere. Their stand looks solid as well. (Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia, Nov. 2013)
Sandeep and his sister Kirti (background) sell flowers and incense sticks near the steps of the Parvati Mandir, Bhojpur. They also have a younger brother, Sudeep. Will be posting a pic soon in which all the three are present.
Almost every home in China and Hong Kong has a small shrine, usually located on the entrance door, where incense sticks are lighted to bring good luck, and to please deities or ancestors.
Learn more about at my travelog post about it.
I captured this local bringng the "lingams” or phallus (penis) figures to Phra Nang cave. Pra Nang means Princess Goddess. The spirit of princess goddess (PhraNang) resides in this cave according to local beliefs. Fishermen would make promises and prayers to Phra Nang before they went out to sea to fish. When their wishes were granted they came back to the cave and gave an offering. The offering were flowers and incense sticks. The villagers think that the goddesses really prefer the ‘lingams” or phallus (penis) figures.
Having made her offerings, this local Thai lady settles down to pray at the reclining Buddha statue, just as the other lady leaves. (see previous pictures earlier in this album). This large Buddha was initially housed in a large chamber called the Wihan Phra Phuttha Saiyat, most of it sadly does not stand today, barring a wall behind the statue and a few bits and pieces. I noticed that Buddhists in Thailand always light their incense sticks in threes. When praying and requesting a favor to Buddha, Thai people take three incense sticks, i.e one for the Buddha, one for the Sangha (the Buddhist community), one for the Dharma (teachings of the Buddha). In addition, a flower - (usually an orchid or a lotus which symbolizes the Buddhist teachings and purity and a small candle, which symbolizes understanding enlightenment are also included. Then they light the incense sticks, kneel three times and put the incense sticks in front of the statue. This lady is holding a trio of lit incense sticks in her hand. This reclining Buddha statue is actually only part of a much larger complex called the Wat Yai Chaimongkol or The Monastery of Victory, but we will get there shortly. (see subsequent pictures later in this album). Incidentally, this is not the original reclining Buddha statue which was housed in Wihan Phra Phuttha Saiyat- rather this is a replica made in the 1960s. (Ayutthaya, Thailand, Oct. 2008)
Today we went to the Thai Buddhist Temple in Kissimmee, Florida to join in the Celebration of "Wan Awk Pansa" Kannika prepared a variety of foods and gifts to give to the Monks as a normal part of this Buddhist Celebration. There is a complete series of photos of today's festivities uploaded together. I hope you take a minute and scroll through the collection and enjoy them. This was my first experience participating in this celebration and I found it to be very interesting and satisfying.
Wan Awk Pansa
The Meaning of Wan Awk Pansa
Wan Awk Pansa (วันออกพรรษา) means the day of leaving the rains retreat. It is a public holiday in Thailand, held on the fifteenth, or full moon day, of the eleventh lunar
Tuesday, 27 October, 2015.
Wan Awk Pansa signals the end of the Buddhist Lent period, a period when many Thai Buddhists abstain from eating meat, drinking alcohol, and smoking. This is a day when many Thai people will visit a temple, often their local temple in their birthplace, to pray and to bring offerings. In the evenings, many people will take part in a tian wian or candlelit circumambulation of the main shrine of the temple. The devotees walk three times, in a clockwise direction, around the shrine, carrying a candle, three lit incense sticks and a lotus bud.
The name may sound suspicious, but no one gets hanged at the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. It is a local festival observed annually in the fall season by residents in the Tai Hang area (in between Causeway Bay and Tin Hau areas).
The main attraction is basically a dragon made of thousands of lit incense sticks, held up by a team of the Tai Hang residents parading through a few streets. In addition as part of the parade, there are also children dressed up in traditional Chinese garb holding lanterns. (Left: children form part of the parade in the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance)
(Hong Kong) The Tai Hang Fire Dragon has its origin in 1880. At that time, Tai Hang was only a small Hakka village and the villagers, most of them farmers and fishermen, were living a simple and peaceful life. The tale started when the villagers once killed a serpent in a stormy night, but in the next morning, the dead body of the serpent had disappeared. A few days later, a plague spread out in Tai Hang and many people died of infection. Meanwhile, a village elder saw Buddha one night in his dream and was told to perform a Fire Dragon Dance and to burn fire crackers in the Mid-Autumn Festival. The sulphur in the fire crackers drove away the disease and the villagers were saved. Since then, every year the Tai Hang residents would perform the Fire Dragon Dance for three nights in the Mid-Autumn Festival in memory of the incident. The Fire Dragon is altogether 220 feet long with its body divided into 32 segments, all of which are stuffed with straw and stuck full of incense sticks, so it is known as the “ Fire-Dragon ”.
The Shwedagon Pagoda is a 99 metres gilded pagoda and stupa located in Yangon, Burma. The pagoda lies to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, thus dominating the skyline of the city. It is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese with relics of the past four Buddhas enshrined within: the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa and eight strands of hair from Gautama, the historical Buddha. Uppatasanti Pagoda is an exact replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in Naypyidaw, the new capital of Burma.
According to legend, the Shwedagon Pagoda has existed for more than 2,600 years, making it the oldest historical pagoda in Burma and the world. According to tradition, two merchant brothers, Taphussa and Bhallika, from the land of Ramanya, met the Lord Gautama Buddha during his lifetime and received eight of the Buddha's hairs in 588 BCE. The brothers traveled back to their homeland in Burma and, with the help of the local ruler, King Okkalapa of Burma, found Singuttara Hill, where relics of other Buddhas preceding Gautama Buddha had been enshrined.
According to some historians and archaeologists, however, the pagoda was built by the Mon people between the 6th and 10th centuries CE.
There are four entrances to the Paya that lead up a flight of steps to the platform on Singuttara Hill. The eastern and southern approaches have vendors selling books, good luck charms, Buddha images, candles, gold leaf, incense sticks, prayer flags, streamers, miniature umbrellas and flowers. A pair of giant leogryphs called chinthe (mythical lions) guard the entrances and the image in the shrine at the top of the steps from the south is that of the second Buddha, Konagamana. The base or plinth of the stupa is made of bricks covered with gold plates.
Above the base are terraces that only monks and men can access. Next is the bell-shaped part of the stupa. Above that is the turban, then the inverted almsbowl, inverted and upright lotus petals, the banana bud, and then the crown. The crown or umbrella (hti) is tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies. Immediately before the diamond bud is a flag-shaped vane. The very top, the diamond bud is tipped with a 76 carat (15 g) diamond.
The gold seen on the stupa is made of genuine gold plates, covering the brick structure and attached by traditional rivets. Myanmar people all over the country, as well as monarchs in its history, have donated gold to the pagoda to maintain it. The practice continues to this day after being started in the 15th century by the Mon Queen Shin Sawbu, who gave her weight in gold.
WIKIPEDIA
The Varanasi Ganga Aarti is one of the most beautiful religious ceremonies in the world. It takes place every sunset at holy Dashaswamedh Ghat, near Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This divine ritual is a highly choreographed ceremony. The extravaganza is amazing and you will certainly will be wanting more of it. The aarti is performed on a stage on the river banks. A group of young pandits, all draped in saffron colored robes raise huge brass lamps in honor of the River Goddess.
The ceremony commences with the blowing of a conch shell, which is believed to eliminate all negative energy and heighten your senses. The waving of incense sticks in elaborate patterns and circling of large flaming lamps follows. The movement of the lamps are synchronized to the rhythmic chants of hymns and music of cymbals. The heady scent of sandalwood thickly permeates the air. The aarti is not just a ritual it is a display of complete devotion to the River Ganga.
... is a cracking tune by Underworld. This is a photo of some burnt out incense sticks which I also though was quite beautiful.
The Shwedagon Pagoda is a 99 metres gilded pagoda and stupa located in Yangon, Burma. The pagoda lies to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, thus dominating the skyline of the city. It is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese with relics of the past four Buddhas enshrined within: the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa and eight strands of hair from Gautama, the historical Buddha. Uppatasanti Pagoda is an exact replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in Naypyidaw, the new capital of Burma.
According to legend, the Shwedagon Pagoda has existed for more than 2,600 years, making it the oldest historical pagoda in Burma and the world. According to tradition, two merchant brothers, Taphussa and Bhallika, from the land of Ramanya, met the Lord Gautama Buddha during his lifetime and received eight of the Buddha's hairs in 588 BCE. The brothers traveled back to their homeland in Burma and, with the help of the local ruler, King Okkalapa of Burma, found Singuttara Hill, where relics of other Buddhas preceding Gautama Buddha had been enshrined.
According to some historians and archaeologists, however, the pagoda was built by the Mon people between the 6th and 10th centuries CE.
There are four entrances to the Paya that lead up a flight of steps to the platform on Singuttara Hill. The eastern and southern approaches have vendors selling books, good luck charms, Buddha images, candles, gold leaf, incense sticks, prayer flags, streamers, miniature umbrellas and flowers. A pair of giant leogryphs called chinthe (mythical lions) guard the entrances and the image in the shrine at the top of the steps from the south is that of the second Buddha, Konagamana. The base or plinth of the stupa is made of bricks covered with gold plates.
Above the base are terraces that only monks and men can access. Next is the bell-shaped part of the stupa. Above that is the turban, then the inverted almsbowl, inverted and upright lotus petals, the banana bud, and then the crown. The crown or umbrella (hti) is tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies. Immediately before the diamond bud is a flag-shaped vane. The very top, the diamond bud is tipped with a 76 carat (15 g) diamond.
The gold seen on the stupa is made of genuine gold plates, covering the brick structure and attached by traditional rivets. Myanmar people all over the country, as well as monarchs in its history, have donated gold to the pagoda to maintain it. The practice continues to this day after being started in the 15th century by the Mon Queen Shin Sawbu, who gave her weight in gold.
I captured this local bringng the "lingams” or phallus (penis) figures to Phra Nang cave. Pra Nang means Princess Goddess. The spirit of princess goddess (PhraNang) resides in this cave according to local beliefs. Fishermen would make promises and prayers to Phra Nang before they went out to sea to fish. When their wishes were granted they came back to the cave and gave an offering. The offering were flowers and incense sticks. The villagers think that the goddesses really prefer the ‘lingams” or phallus (penis) figures.
The path then goes round the main shrine and leads to this side shrine, which was the busiest of them all. I found at least 3 - 4 bird sellers here who kept urging me to buy birds from them to set free, but I gesticulated that I'd already done so from the other vendor. At least one of the vendors appeared to be related to the first, for the little kid, upon receiving her one dollar tip from me, bounced on happily to another lady with another set of cages and was talking to her happily in Khmer. Another chap here was selling lotus flowers. Incense sticks were free (I think)- they were kept in a large pile which people were taking from. (Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Apr/ May 2014)
A girl praying in one of Beijing's Buddhist temples. Incense sticks give these temples a characteristic smell and is an integral part of Buddhism.
You can see more photos from China in my China set.
You could watch this Large On Black since that brings out more details. My pictures aren't balanced for a white background and a lot of the finer details are lost in this small format.
This is an copyrighted image with all rights reserved and may not be reproduced, transmitted, copied or used in any way in any media(blogs included) without the written permission from the photographer.
This is the most beautiful temple on earth! And I know what I am talking about: I have seen thousend! It´s not just the architecture - it`s the athmosphäre! It´s a place out of earth!
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The Shwedagon Pagoda is a 99 metres gilded pagoda and stupa located in Yangon, Burma. The pagoda lies to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, thus dominating the skyline of the city. It is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese with relics of the past four Buddhas enshrined within: the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa and eight strands of hair from Gautama, the historical Buddha. Uppatasanti Pagoda is an exact replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in Naypyidaw, the new capital of Burma.
According to legend, the Shwedagon Pagoda has existed for more than 2,600 years, making it the oldest historical pagoda in Burma and the world. According to tradition, two merchant brothers, Taphussa and Bhallika, from the land of Ramanya, met the Lord Gautama Buddha during his lifetime and received eight of the Buddha's hairs in 588 BCE. The brothers traveled back to their homeland in Burma and, with the help of the local ruler, King Okkalapa of Burma, found Singuttara Hill, where relics of other Buddhas preceding Gautama Buddha had been enshrined.
According to some historians and archaeologists, however, the pagoda was built by the Mon people between the 6th and 10th centuries CE.
There are four entrances to the Paya that lead up a flight of steps to the platform on Singuttara Hill. The eastern and southern approaches have vendors selling books, good luck charms, Buddha images, candles, gold leaf, incense sticks, prayer flags, streamers, miniature umbrellas and flowers. A pair of giant leogryphs called chinthe (mythical lions) guard the entrances and the image in the shrine at the top of the steps from the south is that of the second Buddha, Konagamana. The base or plinth of the stupa is made of bricks covered with gold plates.
Above the base are terraces that only monks and men can access. Next is the bell-shaped part of the stupa. Above that is the turban, then the inverted almsbowl, inverted and upright lotus petals, the banana bud, and then the crown. The crown or umbrella (hti) is tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies. Immediately before the diamond bud is a flag-shaped vane. The very top, the diamond bud is tipped with a 76 carat (15 g) diamond.
The gold seen on the stupa is made of genuine gold plates, covering the brick structure and attached by traditional rivets. Myanmar people all over the country, as well as monarchs in its history, have donated gold to the pagoda to maintain it. The practice continues to this day after being started in the 15th century by the Mon Queen Shin Sawbu, who gave her weight in gold.
Sandalwood incense is well known for being the perfect aid in meditative exploration and the search for spiritual awareness and understanding.
I saw an article on photographing smoke in a magazine recently so decided to give it a try. The article recommended using incense sticks as the smoke is continuous, but I didn't have any so had to use a candle and a candle snuffer (the snuffer makes better smoke than by simply blowing the candle out apparently).
I only got one smoke stream so cloned another one in and then saved the photo. I then flipped the photo and saved another copy and then put one on top of the other. To achieve the white background I inverted the image (as recommended in the article) and then added a red tint to it to give the smoke some colour (as it was black/grey following the inversion).
I'm pretty pleased with it for a first attempt but feel the need to buy some incense sticks now to achieve better smoke!
A lot of folks who've seen these shots have asked how they were done so I'll attempt to explain...
There's probably a few variations on the theme but firstly here's what I used to do it
1. Canon 100mm macro lens (probably don't need a 'macro' lens as I found the best results were obtained from about 60 cm's ish)
2. What really makes a difference is an off camera flash. I was lucky enough to get a 580EX as a present with an off camera flash cord. This is important because with standard front facing flashes you run the risk of lighting up the background. This makes it harder to isolate the smoke form the background later in photoshop if it hasn't stayed completely black - you with me? If you have remote release for the flash gun even better - no cables!
3. A dark background. I initally used a black jumper but anything black is good. Preferably of a good size too so you have a bit of freedom of movement with the camera whilst still keeping the background in the frame.
4. Incense sticks and holder. Simple!
5. Tripod for the camera.
Basically set your background up and put your incense sticks about 1or more metres in front so the background will be blurred.
Set the camera up about 60cm away from the incense sticks. Pre focus the camera and use an aperture of f8 - f14 so you get a decent DOF. Experiment here.
Check the viewfinder for position making sure it's filled with black backdrop.
Set the flash ready. Vary the angles of flash if you can - I found a 45 degree angle to the smoke pointing 45 degrees up is ok. With the 580EX on 1/4 power about 6 inch distance is good for even light. Just experiment with this. If like me you just have a flash on the stand and no tripod an assistant can be handy to hold the flash.
Light the incense sticks, wait for pretty patterns and shoot away!
The best way I found of getting plenty of swirls is using two incense sticks burning simultaneously. Have the burning tips near each other and one will induce turbulence in the other stream. Otherwise with one stick burning you wait an age for anything interesting.
Download photos and tinker till your little heart's content in photoshop or whatever you use!
It was post Navratri,
i had that devotional spirit in me, performing daily prayers at my place; the lighting up of the diya, the burning of the incense sticks, offering flowers and garlands to the gods, all these filled the air with serenity..that was time when i had clicked this pic
Wan Awk Pansa
The Meaning of Wan Awk Pansa
Wan Awk Pansa (วันออกพรรษา) means the day of leaving the rains retreat. It is a public holiday in Thailand, held on the fifteenth, or full moon day, of the eleventh lunar
Tuesday, 27 October, 2015.
Wan Awk Pansa signals the end of the Buddhist Lent period, a period when many Thai Buddhists abstain from eating meat, drinking alcohol, and smoking. This is a day when many Thai people will visit a temple, often their local temple in their birthplace, to pray and to bring offerings. In the evenings, many people will take part in a tian wian or candlelit circumambulation of the main shrine of the temple. The devotees walk three times, in a clockwise direction, around the shrine, carrying a candle, three lit incense sticks and a lotus bud.
The Shwedagon Pagoda is a 99 metres gilded pagoda and stupa located in Yangon, Burma. The pagoda lies to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, thus dominating the skyline of the city. It is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese with relics of the past four Buddhas enshrined within: the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa and eight strands of hair from Gautama, the historical Buddha. Uppatasanti Pagoda is an exact replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in Naypyidaw, the new capital of Burma.
According to legend, the Shwedagon Pagoda has existed for more than 2,600 years, making it the oldest historical pagoda in Burma and the world. According to tradition, two merchant brothers, Taphussa and Bhallika, from the land of Ramanya, met the Lord Gautama Buddha during his lifetime and received eight of the Buddha's hairs in 588 BCE. The brothers traveled back to their homeland in Burma and, with the help of the local ruler, King Okkalapa of Burma, found Singuttara Hill, where relics of other Buddhas preceding Gautama Buddha had been enshrined.
According to some historians and archaeologists, however, the pagoda was built by the Mon people between the 6th and 10th centuries CE.
There are four entrances to the Paya that lead up a flight of steps to the platform on Singuttara Hill. The eastern and southern approaches have vendors selling books, good luck charms, Buddha images, candles, gold leaf, incense sticks, prayer flags, streamers, miniature umbrellas and flowers. A pair of giant leogryphs called chinthe (mythical lions) guard the entrances and the image in the shrine at the top of the steps from the south is that of the second Buddha, Konagamana. The base or plinth of the stupa is made of bricks covered with gold plates.
Above the base are terraces that only monks and men can access. Next is the bell-shaped part of the stupa. Above that is the turban, then the inverted almsbowl, inverted and upright lotus petals, the banana bud, and then the crown. The crown or umbrella (hti) is tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies. Immediately before the diamond bud is a flag-shaped vane. The very top, the diamond bud is tipped with a 76 carat (15 g) diamond.
The gold seen on the stupa is made of genuine gold plates, covering the brick structure and attached by traditional rivets. Myanmar people all over the country, as well as monarchs in its history, have donated gold to the pagoda to maintain it. The practice continues to this day after being started in the 15th century by the Mon Queen Shin Sawbu, who gave her weight in gold.
WIKIPEDIA
A closer view of the much revered reclining Buddha, Ayutthaya. The big boy was initially housed in a dedicated hall called the Wihan Phra Phuttha Saiyat, which sadly is no longer sanding- you can see parts of it though like the wall behind the statue, for instance. Here a local Thai lady pays obeisance to the idol and settles down to prayer by lighting three incense sticks, in typical SE Asian Buddhist fashion. A black sign in front of the Buddha was entirely in Thai: I could only make out the number '8' on it. This reclining Buddha statue is actually only part of a much larger complex called the Wat Yai Chaimongkol or The Monastery of Victory, but we will get there shortly. (see subsequent pictures later in this album). Incidentally, this is not the original reclining Buddha statue which was housed in Wihan Phra Phuttha Saiyat- rather this is a replica made in the 1960s. (Ayutthaya, Thailand, Oct. 2008)
When cutting the wood to shape the Palo Santo sticks, sawdust is created. This wood dust is then used to make incense shaped cones. The process goes like this: The sawdust is carefully sifted to remove any larger pieces. Then it is mixed with “moyuyo” (a shrub fruit that is used as glue) and Palo Santo aromatic water. Throughout the process everything is used, there is no waste product.
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Al cortar la madera para dar forma a los Palitos de Palo Santo, se crea un residuo (aserrín) que se utiliza para elaborar los inciensos en forma de Conitos. El aserrín se cierne y se mezcla con moyuyo y agua aromática de Palo Santo. En este proceso todo se aprovecha, no hay producto de desecho.
The Shwedagon Pagoda is a 99 metres gilded pagoda and stupa located in Yangon, Burma. The pagoda lies to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, thus dominating the skyline of the city. It is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese with relics of the past four Buddhas enshrined within: the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa and eight strands of hair from Gautama, the historical Buddha. Uppatasanti Pagoda is an exact replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in Naypyidaw, the new capital of Burma.
According to legend, the Shwedagon Pagoda has existed for more than 2,600 years, making it the oldest historical pagoda in Burma and the world. According to tradition, two merchant brothers, Taphussa and Bhallika, from the land of Ramanya, met the Lord Gautama Buddha during his lifetime and received eight of the Buddha's hairs in 588 BCE. The brothers traveled back to their homeland in Burma and, with the help of the local ruler, King Okkalapa of Burma, found Singuttara Hill, where relics of other Buddhas preceding Gautama Buddha had been enshrined.
According to some historians and archaeologists, however, the pagoda was built by the Mon people between the 6th and 10th centuries CE.
There are four entrances to the Paya that lead up a flight of steps to the platform on Singuttara Hill. The eastern and southern approaches have vendors selling books, good luck charms, Buddha images, candles, gold leaf, incense sticks, prayer flags, streamers, miniature umbrellas and flowers. A pair of giant leogryphs called chinthe (mythical lions) guard the entrances and the image in the shrine at the top of the steps from the south is that of the second Buddha, Konagamana. The base or plinth of the stupa is made of bricks covered with gold plates.
Above the base are terraces that only monks and men can access. Next is the bell-shaped part of the stupa. Above that is the turban, then the inverted almsbowl, inverted and upright lotus petals, the banana bud, and then the crown. The crown or umbrella (hti) is tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies. Immediately before the diamond bud is a flag-shaped vane. The very top, the diamond bud is tipped with a 76 carat (15 g) diamond.
The gold seen on the stupa is made of genuine gold plates, covering the brick structure and attached by traditional rivets. Myanmar people all over the country, as well as monarchs in its history, have donated gold to the pagoda to maintain it. The practice continues to this day after being started in the 15th century by the Mon Queen Shin Sawbu, who gave her weight in gold.
WIKIPEDIA
A far shot of the jumbo sized joss/ incense sticks and the Chinese temple they were placed in front of. (Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia, Nov. 2013)
When cutting the wood to shape the Palo Santo sticks, sawdust is created. This wood dust is then used to make incense shaped cones. The process goes like this: The sawdust is carefully sifted to remove any larger pieces. Then it is mixed with “moyuyo” (a shrub fruit that is used as glue) and Palo Santo aromatic water. Throughout the process everything is used, there is no waste product.
-------------------------------------
Al cortar la madera para dar forma a los Palitos de Palo Santo, se crea un residuo (aserrín) que se utiliza para elaborar los inciensos en forma de Conitos. El aserrín se cierne y se mezcla con moyuyo y agua aromática de Palo Santo. En este proceso todo se aprovecha, no hay producto de desecho.