The Zen of Incense

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incense making, incense burning

“Just as there is an art to serving tea, flower arranging, and calligraphy, there is an art to burning incense. A sixteenth-century Zen priest is credited with describing the ten virtues of incense burning:

  1. Incense burning opens the mind to divinity.
  2. Incense burning purifies the mind and body.
  3. Incense burning divests the mind of worldly impurities.
  4. Incense burning wakes up the mind and keeps one alert.
  5. Incense burning encourages the mind in solitude.
  6. Incense burning brings peace to a busy mind.
  7. One cannot burn too much incense.
  8. Even a little incense is enough.
  9. The age of the incense does not affect its efficacy.
  10. Habitual use of incense causes no harm.”

~ 3 Bowls: Vegetarian Recipes from an American Zen Buddhist Monastery

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