The Act of Burning Incense During Worship: Its Significance and Best Practices
The Significance of Burning Incense During Worship
The act of burning incense during worship has been a longstanding tradition in the spiritual culture of the Vietnamese and several other Asian countries. Burning incense marks the beginning of a spiritual connection and prayer. The smoke from the incense sticks carries the prayers and wishes of the worshipper to the deities and their ancestors.
Hence, burning incense holds great importance. The burning incense signifies the ongoing connection between the ancestors and their descendants. It is believed that the smoke serves as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.
Once the offerings are prepared and presented on the altar, the worshipper lights the incense sticks, marking the commencement of the worship ritual. The ritual is considered incomplete without the lighting of incense. The burning incense announces the beginning of the ceremony and invites the presence of the divine. Thus, the timing of lighting and extinguishing the incense is of utmost importance.
When to Extinguish the Incense and Receive Blessings
In traditional practices, it is believed that one should allow three incense sticks to burn completely before extinguishing the flame and proceeding with the ritual of receiving blessings. This often involves burning paper offerings, after which the family can consume the food offerings. Each incense stick is allowed to burn for its entire duration, typically lasting 10-30 minutes per stick, depending on the type of incense. Incense for purification and fragrance may burn for a longer duration. However, incense used for worship usually burns for 10-30 minutes. Thus, extinguishing the incense prematurely is considered disrespectful, while letting it burn too long may also have its drawbacks.
Typically, after extinguishing the incense, one would proceed with burning paper offerings, and it is not necessary to wait for all three incense sticks to burn completely before proceeding. Once the paper offerings are burned, the incense would have naturally burned out, and then the family can proceed with the meal.
To burn three incense sticks, one would light the second stick when about two-thirds of the first stick has burned. Similarly, the third stick is lit when two-thirds of the second stick has burned.
Today, these rituals have been simplified, and it is not necessary to burn three incense sticks entirely. It is acceptable to extinguish the incense and proceed with the blessings after two-thirds of the first incense stick has burned.
The Significance of Burning Incense
While some families may choose to leave the offerings until the end of the day, and in some cases, certain dry offerings like fruits, sweets, and paper money may be left for several days, it is not advisable to delay the blessings for too long.
Timing Considerations for Extinguishing the Incense
Extinguishing the incense too early or leaving it too late can be inappropriate. Leaving the offerings on the altar for an extended period may attract flies and insects, causing hygiene issues and disrupting the altar’s energy field. The paper money, if left too long, may become damp and moldy, which is not conducive to the altar’s energy. Overripe or decaying fruit can attract ants, cockroaches, and flies, creating an unhygienic environment.
Therefore, it is best to extinguish the incense and receive blessings shortly after the worship ritual is completed. If the prayer or ritual is lengthy and extends beyond the burning of one incense stick, a new stick should be lit when the previous one is about to burn out. If the ritual concludes before the first incense stick has burned out, it is acceptable to extinguish it when two-thirds of it has burned.
Additional Considerations for Burning Incense
It is advisable to offer vegetarian food or lightly seasoned dishes during worship, avoiding strong-smelling or raw foods.
When selecting incense, opt for natural, chemical-free varieties to ensure a cleaner burning experience.
Exercise caution to prevent fire hazards, and avoid burning incense in enclosed spaces or areas susceptible to drafts or rain.
This information is based on traditional beliefs and practices and may vary depending on regional customs and personal interpretations.
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