The culture of burning incense in temples is an important part of traditional Chinese culture, and in religions such as Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, burning incense is regarded as a pious belief and sacrificial ritual. In temples, people offer incense to Buddhas, gods, ancestors, and other deities as a sign of respect and blessings. But in fact, the meaning of burning incense in the temple is different, and the following is a detailed explanation of what the meaning of the three sticks of incense and the three pillars of incense respectively, and what we should pay attention to when making incense.
1. Three sticks of incense.
First of all, the three sticks of incense represent different meanings.
The first root is called "Ring Incense", the second root represents "Dingxiang", and the third root represents "Huixiang". Burning three incense sticks not only expresses sincere respect for the Buddha, but also expresses the determination to get rid of the troubles of the world and become a practitioner. Folks believe that the three incense sticks represent peace, smoothness and awe.
When inserting incense, the first incense stick should be inserted in the middle of the incense burner, and silently recite "offering to the Buddha, feeling and not being confused"; The second incense stick should be inserted on the left side, and the silent recitation "Offering to the monks, good but not evil"; The third incense stick should be inserted on the right side, and the silent recitation "Offering to the monks, pure and unstained".
2. Three sticks of incense.
The three incense sticks represent precepts, concentration, and wisdom respectively, and have the meaning of "breaking through confusion and enlightenment".
Burning three incense sticks symbolizes enlightenment and an expression of one's willingness to abstain from bad Xi and delusions to the Buddha. The meaning of the "three" of the three incense sticks is very rich, including the meaning of the past, the present and the future, and also expresses the willingness to silently swear to practice the precepts diligently, to concentrate on wisdom and to extinguish greed, hatred and ignorance.
In the minds of Buddhists, the meaning of incense does not lie in the number of burners, but in the sincerity of the heart of the person who burns it. Before offering incense according to the rules of incense, you need to kowtow three times in front of the Buddha. The first prostrations show respect to the Buddha, the second prostrations are vows to Xi to Buddhism, and the third prostrations are reflections and repentances before the Buddha.
Burning incense also requires the following taboos, and only sincerity can receive the help of the Buddha.
1. Dress neatly and neatly, and don't dress too flashy or alternative.
2. When entering the main hall of the temple, it should be noted that women should step with their right foot and men should step with their left foot, and do not step on the threshold, which is disrespectful to the Buddha.
3. When worshipping the Buddha, you should be sincere and clean, avoid pointing or making loud noises, and do not cross **.
4. The amount of incense burned is also particular, three burns pray for themselves, six burns pray for two generations, nine burns pray for three generations, and thirteen burns are the highest specifications.
5. The gesture of holding incense should be held with the left hand, lit at one time, the more prosperous the fire, the better, do not blow with your mouth, just shake the incense up and down horizontally to extinguish. When offering incense, hold the incense under the right hand, hold it high above the head, and place the incense in the incense burner after making the incense.
6. Pay attention to the posture when kowtowing, kneel on the **, put your hands together, the palms are hollow, hold high above the head, go down to the mouth to pause, you can make a wish, and then go down to the heart, silently, and then spread out your palms, bow down to the upper body, and go back and forth three times.
7. It is best for women not to go to incense during menstrual holidays, and women should avoid wearing excessively revealing clothes when they go to temples to worship Buddha in summer, pay attention to their children, and do not let them run and play in the Buddha hall.
8. When burning incense, you should take three branches of incense, walk to the Buddha after igniting, the heart should be respectful and sincere, the two eyes are solemn and solemn, you can silently recite what you want, put down the incense, take the incense foot in your right hand, insert incense in your left hand, the distance between the two incense is five points, and the integrity wants what you want. Be careful not to step over the ** in front of you, this is disrespectful.
All in all, the temple incense burning culture has a long tradition in Chinese history, from ancient times to modern times and continues to the present day. It is not only an expression of religious beliefs and sacrificial rituals, but also an important part of traditional Chinese culture. It can be said that in modern society, burning incense in temples is also one of the necessary ways for people to pray for blessings, but many people do not know the above knowledge, so it is very important to understand the relevant knowledge to go to the temple to pray for blessings.