Promote environmental protection - stay away from toxic scented candles

The terrible current situation

Every time we go to temples and other religious places, we will see the curling smoke and bright candles, and we will immediately feel a sacred atmosphere, and our body and mind can't help but feel Be solemn. However, under the influence of commercialization, a large number of toxic and unclean incense candles poured into the temples, adding disharmonious factors to the originally pure temples and destroying the original functions of the temples. According to reports, a large amount of chemical incense flowed into the temple. Pilgrims and tourists poured large quantities of highly fragrant red candles they carried into the incense burners, causing the candle flames to rise and the incense to incense people. Burning large incense can burn others if you are not careful, and the smoke is billowing, which is not environmentally friendly and can easily cause fires, causing a lot of waste and having a great impact on the environment. In this way, seeking blessings will not succeed, but will create boundless sins.

Researchers compared the air samples in the temple with the air at the intersection and found that the temple contained strong levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other carcinogens. The results of the air analysis showed that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the temple The hydrocarbon content is 19 times higher than the general air outside the temple and higher than that at the intersection. Researchers even found that the air in temples contained benzopyrene, which is particularly carcinogenic, with levels 45 times higher than in homes where people smoke and 118 times higher than in homes with no smoke sources.

The problem is that refined chemical incense generally uses wood sawdust or other plant powder as the base material, mixes 1-2 nitrate powder, and uses relatively economical sticky materials as adhesives to adhere or press. of. Chemical fragrances have unpleasant smells that are harmful to the eyes and respiratory tract and have a woody smell. In order to cover up the smell, it is necessary to add a large amount of chemical fragrances with lower purity, and then add various organic chemical pigments to achieve beautiful effects. Therefore, how poisonous chemical fragrance is!

Researchers found that most candles are solid paraffin candles. Paraffin is a by-product of petroleum and releases a large amount of harmful substances such as "benzene" and "formaldehyde" during the burning process, both of which are strong chemicals. It is a carcinogen and is classified as a first-class air pollutant by the country. Other volatile pollutants can induce asthma or skin diseases.

Burning high-quality incense and low-quality incense candles first harms the personal health of religious staff and incense tourists. Some temple masters and Buddhist worshipers have frequently suffered from lung cancer in recent years, which is related to long-term Burning low-quality incense candles is highly relevant. The second is that it is not conducive to the safety of cultural relics, and the third is that it will cause harm to the environment. Burning high incense in mountain temples in natural scenic areas has caused great pollution to the environment, posed fire hazards, and also had a negative impact on the local tourism image.

The significance of offering incense and candles

There are generally five offerings (one incense burner, two candlesticks, and two vases) in front of the Buddha and on the Buddhist altar. In Buddhist scriptures, six types of offerings such as incense, flower wreaths, purified water, burning incense, food and drink, and burning lamps are often used to describe the functions of observing the precepts, giving, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom.

Holding a stick of incense conveys the respect and remembrance in the heart through the non-existent smoke shape and the soothing fragrance. By burning incense to maintain the body and mind, make the heart pure and pious, quell the greed, anger and delusion in the heart, and bring out the wonderful fragrance of the heart that everyone has, it can lead to people's faith in the Buddha, just like the messenger of the Buddha. Burning a lamp or candle emits light, which is a metaphor for Prajna wisdom, which can achieve the Bodhisattva behavior of benefiting oneself and others.

Buddhists who practice the three disciplines of precepts, concentration, and wisdom can achieve the incense of precepts, concentration, and wisdom. This is the true incense without leakage, which can permeate the ten directions. The incense of precepts, concentration, wisdom, liberation and knowledge can express the principles of the five dharma bodies.

Master Huineng revealed the five points of Dharmakāya incense in one’s own nature, 1. The incense of precepts: there is nothing wrong in one’s heart, no evil, no jealousy, no greed, hatred, and no harm, which is called the incense of precepts.

2. Dingxiang: Being close to all good and evil situations, and keeping one's mind undisturbed. This is called Dingxiang.

3. Huixiang: one’s own mind is unobstructed, one always observes one’s own nature with wisdom, one does not do any evil, one does good deeds, one’s heart is not attached, one has respect for those above and those below, one is considerate of the lonely and poor, one is famous for being wise. Xiang (his natural wisdom is clear, without selfishness, ignorance and other obstacles of ignorance. He always uses his wisdom to break through ignorance, observes his own nature, does not do any evil, widely cultivates all kinds of good, and when practicing good, he has no attachment and attachment in his heart. obstacles).

4. The fragrance of liberation: There is nothing to cling to in one's mind, neither thinking about good nor evil, being free and unencumbered, which is called the fragrance of liberation (let go of all conditions, not only let go of evil, but also let go of good, and the mind will be at peace) No hindrance, empty and natural).

5. The fragrance of liberating knowledge and seeing: Since your mind has no attachment to good or evil, you cannot sink into emptiness and remain silent. That is to say, you must learn widely, know your own mind, understand all Buddhist principles, and connect things with light. There is no self and no one, until the true nature of Bodhi is not easy to change, it is called the fragrance of knowledge and vision of liberation (when one's own mind reaches the state of nothing to cling to, it cannot blindly remain in the emptiness and freedom. It needs to learn widely and interact with external people and things. Communion and harmony, gradually reaching the state of no one and no self, until the true nature is not easy to change). These five kinds of incense are all Dharmakaya incense. They should be found within your own body and mind. Do not seek them outside your body and mind.

Only by following the teachings of the Buddha can we obtain the true pure fragrance that pervades the ten directions. Many people feel the fragrance in their mouths and bodies due to praising the Buddha's merits and reciting sutras devoutly.

Nowadays, most people who use incense do not understand the meaning of incense. They often order a large amount at a time, and most of them do not pay attention to the quality of incense. Most of the incense they order is added with a large number of chemical fragrances. , this kind of incense is similar to mosquito-repellent incense, which is not only harmful to your health, but also uses this kind of incense to incense yourself and others. How can you talk about sincerity in worshiping the Buddha? Because incense represents the highest respect for worshiping the Buddha, burning a stick of good incense can be smelled through the root of the nose, so that the tangible smoke can activate the sincerity and wisdom of the human heart. Careful observation and long-term edification can calm the mind and develop spirituality. If you practice sitting meditation, you can also use the help of incense to calm your mind, regulate your qi, and help it flow. Then all your roots will be gathered together, and you can enter meditation with mindfulness, and gain wisdom, liberation, and Buddhahood. For example, it is recorded in the Surangama Sutra that the boy Xiangyan attained the fruit of Arahantship because he smelled the incense of agarwood. This shows the unique and true meaning of holding incense and worshiping the Buddha.

Advocate civilized and environmentally friendly incense candles

It is advisable to burn the above three incense sticks, which represent the three indispensable learning of "precepts, concentration, and wisdom", and also represent the three eternal treasures of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. , this is the most complete and civilized offering of burning incense. The amount of incense does not matter, the most important thing is the sincerity. As the saying goes, "burn three civilized incense to pay tribute with a sincere heart." Generally, it is enough to burn three sticks of incense in front of the Main Hall. If you put your palms together and pray in other halls, the effect will be the same. Of course, you can also make your own decision according to the regulations of the temple and the distribution of incense burners in the temple, but it is appropriate that there should be no more than three incense sticks in each incense burner. The first incense stick is inserted in the middle, and silently reciting in the mind: Offer to the Buddha, and one is aware and not confused; the second incense is inserted in the right side, and silently recites in the mind: The offering method is righteous but not evil; the third incense is inserted in the left side, and silently recites: Offering in the heart. Monk, pure and undefiled. After offering incense, stand in front of the Buddha statue, put your palms together, and pay respect to the Buddha.

Nowadays, some people light a handful of incense and hold it in their hands to worship Buddha. This may cause a fire and burn others or themselves. It is also easy to burn the worship mats and utensils. It will also cause thick smoke and pollute the environment. Endangering health is really uncivilized and illegal. The most important thing about worshiping Buddha is the desire rather than the form. Some tourists compare it with "burning high-quality incense" and spend thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars, which is really not advisable.

It is recommended not to burn chemical incense, which will cause physical and mental damage. You should choose environmentally friendly sandalwood or natural incense. Replace paraffin candles with beeswax and soy candles, which are more expensive but have better health benefits. In addition, when lighting candles in a sealed room, attention should be paid to ventilation to reduce pollutants produced by burning candles. It is better to use oil lamps instead of candles.

All benevolent people, you should worship the Buddha with the most sincere heart incense and the fragrance. You will surely be able to move the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and receive blessings. You will also be able to reflect your mind through things, look back at your heart, and realize your own nature. Those who are benevolent will practice it diligently.