Materials: Bhutanese. Handmade incense sticks.

Size: 21-22cm

Description:

Bhutan is the state religion of Tibetan Buddhism, with the Drukpa Kagyu lineage being the dominant tradition. The Nyingma school also has a significant influence in some areas, such as the western and central regions, where the Alo/Monpa people from Tibet come to practice Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism was introduced to Bhutan by the Tubo King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, and the 8th-century missionary work of Guru Padmasambhava further solidified its influence, particularly the Nyingma school's Tantric traditions. Tibetan Buddhism is not only a religious belief in Bhutan but also a core part of cultural, political, and social life, with a profound influence.

The Significance and Influence of Handmade Incense Sticks in Tibetan Buddhism

Handmade incense sticks (called "bsang" in Tibetan) hold significant religious and cultural significance in Tibetan Buddhism and are widely used in Bhutan, Tibet, and other areas where Tibetan Buddhism is practiced. Incense sticks are handmade from natural herbs, resins, minerals, and other materials. They are often used in religious rituals, meditation, environmental purification, and offerings. The following is its significance and influence in Tibetan Buddhism:

1. **Central Role in Religious Rituals**:

- **Offering and Purification**: In Tibetan Buddhism, incense sticks are considered "bsang offerings," used to offer to Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, deities (such as Manjushri and Avalokitesvara), and Dharma protectors. The smoke from burning incense sticks is believed to transmit the offerer's prayers to the Buddhas, while also purifying the environment and dispelling negative energy or evil spirits.

- **Tantric Rituals**: In Tantric practice, incense sticks are often used in conjunction with ritual implements such as the mandala and the vajra. Particularly in Tantric rituals such as the Anuttarayoga Tantra, they are used to create a sacred space or enhance meditation.

**Festivals and Ceremonies**: During Bhutanese religious festivals (such as the mask dance in Dramatse) or ceremonies, incense is a common offering used for blessings, warding off disasters, or commemorating important figures such as Guru Padmasambhava.

2. **Cultural and Spiritual Symbolism**:

- The production and use of incense reflects Tibetan Buddhism's emphasis on harmony between nature and the mind. Incense is often sourced from natural Himalayan plants, such as sandalwood, cypress, and saffron, believed to possess spiritual powers and promote balance between body and mind.

- In Bhutan, incense is not only a religious item but also a tool for meditation, warding off evil spirits, and enhancing the environment in daily life, reflecting the deep integration of Tibetan Buddhism and Bhutanese culture.

3. **Bhutan's Unique Contributions**:

- Bhutanese handmade incense is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and all-natural ingredients, and is often considered a high-quality religious item. These incense sticks are crafted in Bhutanese monasteries (such as Taktsang Monastery) or religious institutions (such as the Bhutan Monastery Affairs Council), and embody Bhutan's commitment to Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Bhutanese incense is also recognized in other Tibetan Buddhist regions for its unique formula and production methods (such as hand-kneading and adherence to ancient recipes), and is often exported to Tibet, Nepal, and other regions.

How incense is used

Incense is used in Tibetan Buddhism in a variety of ways, depending on the occasion and purpose:

1. **Religious Ritual**:

**Burning for Offering**: In front of the altar in a temple or home, incense is burned as an offering, accompanied by chanting or prayer. The smoke is believed to transmit prayers to the Buddhas or deities.

**Purifying the Space**: Before a ritual or Tantric ceremony (such as a fire offering or smoke offering), incense is burned to purify the mandala or environment and dispel bad luck.

**Meditation Aid**: Practitioners burn incense during meditation. The aroma helps calm the mind and enhance concentration, especially when practicing deity practices (such as the Manjushri mantra).

2. **Daily Uses**:

- **Home Purification**: Bhutanese families often burn incense in the morning or evening to purify their homes and pray for peace. This practice is similar to Bhutan's fertility cult (drawing phallic images to ward off evil spirits), reflecting the integration of religious and folk culture.

- **Medical Uses**: Tibetan Buddhism believes that certain spices (such as saffron and frankincense) have medicinal properties. Burning incense is believed to relieve stress and improve health, complementing Tibetan medical traditions.

3. **Special Rituals**:

- In Bhutanese festivals or exorcism ceremonies, incense may be combined with human bone ritual objects (such as skull bowls) or mandalas to enhance the ritual's spiritual power.

- In smoke offerings (bsang chöd), incense is burned along with other offerings (such as grain and ghee) to honor local deities or pray for good weather.

The Origin of Lying Incense

The origin of lying incense is closely tied to the history and culture of Tibetan Buddhism:

1. **Historical Origins**:

- **Influence of Indian Buddhism**: The use of lying incense dates back to the Indian Buddhist period, particularly after the rise of Vajrayana, when incense was used in offerings and purification rituals. With the introduction of Vajrayana by Guru Padmasambhava to Bhutan and Tibet in the 8th century, lying incense became a key element of Tibetan Buddhism. [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Buddhism)

- **Bon Integration**: Tibetan Buddhism absorbed certain customs of the indigenous Bon religion of Tibet during its development. Bon used burning incense to worship local deities and ward off evil spirits, and the production and use of lying incense may have been inspired by this tradition. Master Sheng Yen once pointed out that Tibetan Buddhism is a fusion of late Indian Vajrayana and Bon, and the development of lying incense also reflects this fusion.

2. **Bhutan's Unique Development**:

- Located in the Himalayas, Bhutan is rich in natural aromatic resources (such as cypress and azalea), which are used in the production of incense. Guru Padmasambhava likely introduced the art of incense making during his missionary work in Bhutan in the 8th century, and sacred sites such as Taktsang Monastery became centers for its production and use.

- Bhutanese handmade incense making is passed down through monastic monks or families, following ancient recipes and emphasizing natural materials and handcrafting, consistent with Tibetan Buddhism's emphasis on purity and sacredness.

3. **Legend and Symbolism**:

- The smoke of incense is believed to bridge the mortal world with the divine, originating from the tantric teachings of Guru Padmasambhava. Legend has it that when Guru Padmasambhava subdued local deities in Bhutan, he used burning incense to appease and purify them, establishing the importance of incense in religious rituals.

In Bhutan, the production and use of incense is also associated with the practice of deities such as Manjushri. The Manjushri mantra (Om Alabhajnathi) is particularly believed to awaken wisdom, complementing the purifying power of the aroma.

Summary

Bhutanese handmade incense is not only a core element of religious ritual in Tibetan Buddhism but also a cultural and spiritual symbol. Its significance stems from the emphasis on offering, purification, and meditation in Tibetan Buddhism, particularly within the Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma traditions of Bhutan. Incense is used for worship, purification, meditation, and medicinal purposes, embodying the integration of religion and daily life. Its origins are closely linked to Indian Tantric and Bon traditions, as well as Bhutan's natural resources. It carries the legacy of Guru Padmasambhava and Bhutan's unique Buddhist culture. Through its meticulous handcrafting and natural formulations, Bhutanese incense has earned a high reputation within the Tibetan Buddhist world, serving as a spiritual bridge connecting the human and the sacred.