William J H Leonard
Vietnamese Incense
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Over hundreds of years, Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism have fused with traditional Chinese beliefs and ancient Vietnamese animism to form what's collectively known as Tam Giao, the Triple Religion. However usually if asked, people will say they are Buddhist.
The custom of burning incense is an indispensable feature of the spiritual lives of Vietnamese people. It’s believed that an incense stick is a bridge that connects the afterlife with the real life. By lighting one we are inviting our ancestors back to the earth to re-visit us and enjoy whatever offerings we’ve laid out.
Buddhists use incense as an offering to The Buddha as well as for its therapeutic effect of calming the mind for focus meditation. Incense, and other offerings, are offered as a gesture of respect. It is the Buddhists way of offering their wholehearted, undivided attention towards the Buddha.
It is said that the perfume of the incense permeates all corners of the room and thus symbolizes the power of the Teaching to reach and convert all forms of greed, hate and delusion.
Vietnamese Incense
Press "L" to view in Lightbox.
Over hundreds of years, Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism have fused with traditional Chinese beliefs and ancient Vietnamese animism to form what's collectively known as Tam Giao, the Triple Religion. However usually if asked, people will say they are Buddhist.
The custom of burning incense is an indispensable feature of the spiritual lives of Vietnamese people. It’s believed that an incense stick is a bridge that connects the afterlife with the real life. By lighting one we are inviting our ancestors back to the earth to re-visit us and enjoy whatever offerings we’ve laid out.
Buddhists use incense as an offering to The Buddha as well as for its therapeutic effect of calming the mind for focus meditation. Incense, and other offerings, are offered as a gesture of respect. It is the Buddhists way of offering their wholehearted, undivided attention towards the Buddha.
It is said that the perfume of the incense permeates all corners of the room and thus symbolizes the power of the Teaching to reach and convert all forms of greed, hate and delusion.