Materials: Medicinal herbs, Incense powder, Amrita pills, Barley flour

Size: 75g per package

Description:

In Tibetan Buddhism, Obstacle-Removing Incense is a crucial religious and cultural artifact, primarily used to purify the environment, eliminate karmic obstacles, calm the mind and body, and promote spiritual practice. It is highly revered by Tibetan Buddhists. The following will detail its influence and status in Tibetan Buddhism, its usage, and its origins.

1. The Influence and Status of Obstacle-Removing Incense in Tibetan Buddhism

Obstacle-Removing Incense (often called "bsang" in Tibetan, meaning smoke offering or purifying incense) holds significant religious significance in Tibetan Buddhism and is closely tied to its Tantric traditions and indigenous culture. It is not only a practical purification tool but also carries profound religious and cultural symbolism. Its influence and status can be seen from the following perspectives:

1. **The Central Role of Purification and Obstacle-Removing Incense**

Obstacle-Removing Incense is considered a sacred item that purifies space and eliminates foul air and negative energy. Tibetan Buddhism believes that negative environmental energies (external obstacles) or personal karma (internal obstacles) can hinder spiritual practice and the accumulation of merit. The aroma released by burning natural incense is believed to dispel these obstacles, purify the magnetic field, and promote harmony between body, mind, and spirit.

2. **Wide Application in Religious Rituals**

In Tibetan Buddhist rituals such as pujas, meditation, prayers, and salvation, incense is an essential offering. It is often used in bsang (smoke offering) rituals, where the burning incense is offered upward to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and downward to all living beings to dissolve negative karma and accumulate merit. Furthermore, incense is also used in specific rituals such as praying for rain and warding off disasters, demonstrating its versatility in Tibetan Buddhist practice.

3. **Fusion of Culture and Beliefs**

The use of incense is not limited to religious rituals but is also integrated into Tibetan daily life. For example, Tibetans burn incense at home to purify the environment and use it on special occasions, such as upon returning from a place of high negative energy, to dispel external obstacles. This everyday use has made purifying incense a vital part of Tibetan Buddhist culture, reflecting the integration of Buddhism with the indigenous Bon religion of Tibet.

4. **Trans-regional Influence**

The influence of purifying incense extends beyond Tibet, extending to Mongolia, Nepal, Bhutan, and areas of Chinese Tantric Buddhism. With the spread of Tibetan Buddhism, its use has also spread to Europe and the United States, where it has become a crucial tool for purifying the body and mind among Tibetan practitioners, demonstrating its importance within the global Tibetan Buddhist community.

II. Uses of purifying incense

Purifying incense is used in a variety of ways, encompassing both religious rituals and everyday uses, with specific methods varying depending on the occasion and purpose. The following are common uses:

1. **Use in Religious Ritual**

- **Smoke Offering (bsang) Ceremony**: Purifying incense is often the primary ingredient in a smoke offering. By burning incense powder or sticks, it is offered to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma protectors, and to sentient beings in the six realms of existence, resolving karmic grievances and eliminating karmic obstacles. During use, believers place the incense in a dedicated incense burner, light it, and chant mantras or sutras, letting the smoke curl to purify the space.

- **Meditation and Sit-Through**: During meditation or sitting meditation, burning incense can help calm the mind, strengthen concentration, and purify the magnetic field, enhancing the effectiveness of spiritual practice.

- **Sacrificial Prayer and Blessing**: During funeral ceremonies or blessing ceremonies, incense is used to purify the karmic obstacles of the deceased, helping them escape the lower realms and attain rebirth in the Pure Land.

2. **Daily Use**

- **Environmental Purification**: Tibetans often burn incense at home or in monasteries to remove foul air and purify the space, especially when moving into a new home, during festivals, or returning from hospitals or funeral homes.

- **Body and Mind Harmony**: When feeling irritable or experiencing bad luck, burning incense can calm emotions, enhance concentration, and help restore peace.

- **Carry with You**: Some incense powders can be made into sachets and carried around to attract good fortune, ward off evil, and protect your personal magnetic field.

3. **Precautions and Contraindications**

- **Proper Mindset**: When using incense, maintain a positive mindset and avoid harboring ill will or fear, as this will affect the purifying effect.

- **Suitable Groups**: Due to its natural ingredients, incense can be used by pregnant women, but children under three are advised to avoid contact.

- **Burn Method**: After lighting, blow out the flame and allow the smoke to dissipate naturally. Ensure proper ventilation during burning to avoid fire hazards.

- **Avoid Misconceptions**: Incense itself does not attract negative energy; if used correctly, it can attract positive energy.

III. The Origin of Obstacle-Removing Incense

The origin of obstacle-removing incense is closely related to the development of Tibetan Buddhism and its integration with indigenous Tibetan culture. The following analysis provides a historical and cultural context:

1. **Originating from the Fusion of Indian Tantric Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism**

The religious function of obstacle-removing incense stems from the Tantric traditions of Indian Mahayana Buddhism. Particularly starting in the 7th century, with the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet, Tantric offerings and purification rituals gradually became integrated into Tibetan culture. Indian Tantric Buddhism emphasizes purification of the environment and the body and mind through methods such as incense and smoke offerings, a tradition absorbed and furthered by Tibetan Buddhism.

2. **Influence of the Indigenous Bon Religion**

Before the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet, Bon (Yongdrung Bon) already had a tradition of using incense for rituals and purification. During its spread, Tibetan Buddhism absorbed some elements of Bon, such as the worship of nature spirits and smoke offerings, making obstacle-removing incense a fusion of Bon and Buddhist characteristics. When Guru Padmasambhava entered Tibet in the 8th century, he combined Bon rituals with Tantric rituals, laying the religious foundation for obstacle-removing incense.

3. **Establishment of Classical Texts and Tradition**

The use of barrier-removing incense is documented in the Kangyur and Tengyur texts of Tibetan Buddhism, which contain extensive rituals for offering incense and purification. With the revival of Tibetan Buddhism in the Late Spreading Period (after the 10th century), the Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, and Gelug schools further standardized the production and use of barrier-removing incense, making it a standardized religious item.

4. **Evolution of Ingredients and Production**

Barrier-removing incense is typically made from a variety of natural fragrances, such as sandalwood, agarwood, sage, and sacred wood. Some also incorporate Chinese medicinal herbs or blessed sacred objects (such as amrita pills). The selection and proportions of these ingredients reflect Tibetan Buddhism's emphasis on nature and spirituality. For example, the Shaman of Light's premium barrier-removing incense uses over 20 Chinese medicinal herbs and is blessed with the celestial yang energy at noon on the Dragon Boat Festival, embodying the fusion of Tibetan Buddhism and Han Chinese culture.

Summary

In Tibetan Buddhism, purifying incense is not only a tool for purifying the environment but also serves as a bridge connecting religious rituals, spiritual practices, and daily life. Its influence and significance are reflected in its multiple roles in purifying karma, promoting spiritual practice, and integrating Tibetan Buddhism with local culture. It can be used in a variety of contexts, including smoke offerings, meditation, and environmental purification, requiring mindfulness for maximum effectiveness. Its origins can be traced back to the fusion of Indian Tantric Buddhism and Tibetan Bon religion. Through its inheritance and development within Tibetan Buddhism, it has become a vital symbol of Tibetan Buddhist culture today. A deeper understanding of the religious and cultural background of purifying incense can help us better respect and properly utilize this sacred item.

Sur Smoke offering

Smoke offerings are a way of repaying vast karmic debts, as well as sanctifying and pacifying the environment where we do our spiritual practice, where we eat, live, work and play.

A “Sur” offering is a Tibetan Buddhist practice in which a mixture of flour, sweets, dairy products and aromatic substances are consecrated and then offered to a fire, or burned as incense each day in the evening. The resulting fragrant smoke is offered to the objects of refuge and shared with all sentient beings. This is especially important if one has a business, one’s business will increase if offerings are made daily. This offering incense is specially blended to remove karmic debts from past lives in regards to money and to appease the local spirits so they will not create interferences. The “Sur” offering can be used when a relative or friend passed away, especially during the 1st 49 days；it is also done when there is uncomfortable energy (or spirits) in one’s house.

Riwo Sang Cho or “Sur” offers us a way to change the energy dynamics of our home and environment, as well as bringing every kind of supportive factor to our aid.

This ready made incense powder is the perfect “Sur” offering made due to the request of many practitioners and blessed by many high lamas.