What are the rules for burning incense and who can't burn it?

People often talk about burning high incense, which is also common in reality. So what are the particulars of burning high incense? Who can’t burn incense?

What are the requirements for burning high incense?

During the Spring Festival or Qingming Festival, we pay homage to our ancestors. During the first month of the lunar year, many elderly people choose to burn incense to express their gratitude for the gods’ protection throughout the year. Older people are in favor of burning high-grade incense, but younger people are not, because the traditional concepts of different generations are different. When worshiping Buddha and burning incense, in fact anyone can burn incense, but those who disrespect Buddhism are not allowed to burn incense.

The Chinese phrase for burning incense means: burning incense devoutly to gods and Buddhas, which is a metaphor for sincerely thanking people. Every year in the first month of the lunar calendar, many people go to temples to burn incense, especially high-grade incense. Going to the temple to burn incense is all about seeking a peaceful and contented life. Today, let’s see what are the requirements for burning incense?

1. Don’t make random wishes when burning incense

When people burn incense, they will make a wish to Buddha. If you really want your wish to come true, in addition to being sincere, you can also make a promise to the Buddha about what will happen if your wish is fulfilled. Be careful, don't say such things lightly. There is a god above your head. Either don't say it, or do it. Don't speak without thinking.

2. Use your left hand to burn incense

Most of us are right-handed. I often see many people burning incense with their right hands. This is not wrong. Before burning incense, you must wash your hands first, and then light it with the fire you brought. The stronger the fire, the better. Then the key is to use your left hand to insert the incense. Buddhists believe that the right hand kills, which is unlucky.

3. Be a vegetarian before worshipping Buddha

We must be vegetarian before going to the temple or worshiping Buddha, and it is best to take a bath before going. If you are not a vegetarian, try to eat vegetarian food in the days before going to the temple. When burning incense and worshiping Buddha, go in a clockwise direction. If you don’t have enough time, you can just burn incense in the main hall.

(1) Choose three incense sticks and do not break the incense sticks.

(2) Light the incense. (If flames appear after lighting the incense, you can extinguish them by shaking them left and right. Do not blow them out with your breath.)

(3) Face the deity, hold the incense sticks in both hands (at the level of your forehead), and bow in respect.

(4) Use your left hand to burn incense. The three incense sticks should be inserted straight and flat, with a distance of no more than one inch between them (to represent the “inch” of the heart). If you are a Taoist, you should also silently recite the “Incense Burning Mantra”: “Always burn incense to achieve great tranquility.” (If there are multiple statues of gods enshrined in a temple, burn the right one first, then the left one, and then the right one. Burn one incense stick for each of the latter two. The ceremony is the same.)

(5) After offering incense, perform the kowtow ceremony. It is just like burning incense and worshipping gods.

Who cannot burn high incense:

In principle, everyone can burn high incense sticks. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are compassionate and protective of all living beings. As long as you believe in Buddhism, you can worship the Buddha and burn high incense sticks.

However, those who reject Buddhism, slander Buddhism, and disrespect the Three Jewels should not go. Because this kind of people will have evil thoughts and hatred towards the Three Jewels when they come in front of the Buddha statue, this will bring great misfortune to themselves, plant the seeds of sin, and they will receive endless suffering in the future. Therefore, this kind of people cannot worship Buddha or burn incense.

Okay, my friends, now you know what’s the etiquette behind burning incense.