The correct way to burn incense and kowtow. The order of burning incense and worshipping the four directions.

In ancient times, people generally prayed for blessings and peace by burning incense and worshiping Buddha, and this method has been preserved to this day. So what is the correct way to burn incense and kowtow? What is the order of burning incense and worshipping the four directions?

The correct way to burn incense and kowtow

1. Light the incense with fire;

2. Hold the incense stick between the middle and index fingers of both hands, with the thumbs pressing against the end of the incense;

3. Place it on your chest, with the tip of the incense stick facing the Bodhisattva statue;

4. Raise the incense to the level of eyebrows again;

5. After that, repeat step 3;

6. Start to separate with your left hand.

The first method of inserting incense: insert the first incense stick in the center. Place the second incense stick on the right. The third incense stick is placed on the left.

The second way to insert incense: Insert the first incense stick on the right side and chant: "I vow to give up all evil." Insert the second incense stick on the left side and chant: "I vow to cultivate all good." Insert the third incense stick in the middle and chant: "I vow to save all sentient beings."

After offering incense, one should stand in front of the Buddha statue, put hands together, and respectfully worship the Buddha (put hands together, and silently say in the heart: "May this cloud of incense and flowers reach the Three Treasures (or recite: "reach the Buddhas") and beg for great compassion to bestow happiness on all living beings."

The order of burning incense and worshipping the four directions

There is an order for worshipping the four directions when burning incense. In the temple, first bow towards the pagoda, then bow clockwise, for three times. If there is no pagoda, bow towards the main hall and then bow clockwise. At home, just bow three times towards the Buddha statue. Go to the temple and kneel down to worship the Buddha statue devoutly. The usual procedure of worshiping the Buddha is to prostrate yourself three times. This is also a way to express respect and gratitude to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. From the soft, slow and peaceful movement of bending over to worship the Buddha, you can feel the peace and humility of the person worshiping the Buddha.
Terms and meanings for burning incense <br/>Before worshiping Buddha, you must first wash your hands. Incense should not be called "buy" but "please". Ordinary people use their left hand to burn incense (it is said that the right hand is unclean, so ordinary people mostly use their right hand to kill). Three sticks are for praying for oneself, six sticks are for praying for two generations, and nine sticks are for praying for three generations. And thirteen is an extreme; thirteen incense sticks are high incense that represents complete merit.