The Importance of Incense Offering

Incense has been a key aspect of worship from the beginning. In fact, it was one of the first items God gave Moses and Aaron specific instructions for in the Tabernacle and then later in the Temple. It was burned perpetually as a sweet-smelling aroma before the Lord, an expression of love and worship. It was also used to purify the people (Exodus 30). In contrast, incense burning before idols was hated by the Lord as an act of blasphemy.

For those who follow Dorje Shugden, the incense offering is an important part of their practice and prayer. When done properly, it purifies the mind and helps us to connect with our true nature and the Divine. In addition, it can help us to overcome obstacles and achieve our spiritual goals.

Whether you are a layperson, a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism or a Christian, the use of incense is an important ritual and symbol in your faith. The Bible clearly states that incense represents the prayers of godly people who are in covenant with God (see Psalm 141:2). During Zacharias’ prayer before the throne of heaven, he offered incense while praying, requesting the Holy Spirit to bless those who are in covenant with God.

As with many other rituals and spiritual practices, it is important to have the correct intentions in place. The incense you use, the recitation of refuge and Bodhi mind generation verses and other elements all have an impact on the experience. It is also a good idea to repeat a mantra as you perform the ritual. The most commonly used mantra is om ah hum, but there are many others to choose from.

The incense offering is a symbolic sacrifice that is offered in a special censer. It is a different offering than the burnt offering and it is an act of worship and prayer that should be done with devotion and sincerity. The incense is a sweet smelling savour and speaks of atonement and communion with the God who is both a merciful and a jealous God.

In order to be a valid incense offering, the fragrance of the frankincense must be pure and free of any other odours such as garlic or onions. In addition, it must be sifted through a fine sieve in order to remove any impurities. The offering is also combined with the sprinkling of water and the anointing oil in a specific manner to ensure that the entire ritual is valid and sacred.

The incense used in Bhutan is usually a ground mix of aromatic plants including juniper, cypress and red/white sandalwood. It is mixed with a small amount of butter and tsampa (roasted barley flour). In addition, it can be mixed with other medicinal herbs and spices to enhance its flavour. This is called Sangsol in Dzongkha and it is a daily practice at home for most Bhutanese. It is also often done during pilgrimages, during mountaintop visits and in conjunction with hanging prayer flags.