What are the rules for lighting incense at home

China is a country with a large number of religious believers. Both Buddhism and Taoism are believed in and followed by many people. In fact, from the perspective of human nature, religious belief is not a bad thing. It can effectively suppress the evil thoughts in people's hearts and to a certain extent play a role in maintaining social stability. For those who are interested in Buddhism, burning incense is an essential step in worshiping Buddha. So what are the precautions for burning incense at home?

There are many things to pay attention to when burning incense at home. First of all, pay attention to cleanliness. What I mean by "neat" here is not to wear something extravagant, but to be clean and tidy. Instead, you should have a respectful heart towards the Bodhisattva and wash your hands before burning incense. Hands are the place that is most contaminated with foul air, so it is best to wash your hands first when offering incense.

1. Pay attention to burning incense

1. It is best to hold the incense in your left hand when burning it, but this depends on personal habit. What we need to pay attention to when burning incense is that the incense should be lit at one time, and the stronger the better. When burning incense, hold the incense sticks with both hands and hold them above your head. After bowing, you can place the incense in your hand into the incense burner. Whatever you want, think about it in your heart and recite it silently.

2. When burning incense and kowtowing, you must pay attention to the steps. There are taboos when burning incense and worshiping Buddha, and you cannot kowtow rapidly. The most standard posture is to kneel on a cushion with both knees and put your hands together. When putting your hands together, pay attention to the hollow shape of your palms. Raise them above your head, then lower them to your mouth and pause. You can make a wish and silently recite what you are thinking. Then spread your palms out with your palms facing up and bow down. Place your hands in front of the cushion and bow your head downward.

3. When burning incense, do not allow anyone to disturb you, and do not talk to others while burning incense. This is also one of the etiquette of burning incense. Be careful not to point at any Buddha statue. Also don't say disrespectful words. If you need to kneel on a cushion when burning incense, be careful not to step over the cushion when passing by, otherwise it will be considered disrespectful.

4. When burning incense and worshiping Buddha, the number of incense sticks is also important. When burning incense, you need to know that three sticks are for praying for yourself, 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. It is to burn incense and kowtow. This is also the highest standard. Generally, three incense sticks are enough for normal worship of Buddha.

5. When worshiping Buddha at home, you must choose a good location. It is best to place the Buddha statue in an open, quiet place where you will not be disturbed. If conditions permit, it would be best to have a special Buddhist temple, even a small hut will do. When burning incense, you should pay attention to the etiquette of having children at home and take good care of them. Do not allow children to run and play in the Buddhist temple. Disturbing the Buddha's purity.

2. Steps of burning incense

1. When burning incense and worshiping Buddha, believers take three incense sticks, light them in the lamp, hold them in their hands, and walk to the prayer stool.

2. Face the Buddha statue, stand respectfully, hold incense in both hands, and offer it to the Buddha with a pure heart.

3. When holding up the incense, your hands should be in a questioning position. Hold the incense stick with the index and middle fingers of both hands, and press the two thumbs against the tail end of the incense stick. The incense needs to be dragged steadily.

4. Hold the incense sticks horizontally between your eyebrows, level with your eyebrows, look at the majestic Buddha statue with clear eyes, and visualize yourself in harmony with the Buddha. Look at your nose with your eyes, and look at your heart with your nose. Honesty is what you want in your heart.

5. Put the incense down, hold the incense base with your right hand, and insert the incense with your left hand. The distance between the two incense sticks should be five centimeters.

6. Be careful not to step over the cushion in front of you when burning incense, otherwise it will be considered disrespectful.