Materials: Exclusive Tibetan Tantric formula, incense powder, medicinal herbs.

Size: 75gm

Description:

[Tibetan Purifying Incense] is crafted by renowned Tibetan incense masters, based on the [Blue Water God Purifying Incense Sutra] transmitted by Guru Rinpoche. This incense is supplemented with incense recipes for the purifying of impurities from various lineages, along with incense rituals for developing the five chakras. This incense incense is infused with countless rare and precious incense materials, including white and red sandalwood, benzoin, musk, camphor, spikenard, purifying grass, purple agarwood, safflower, nutmeg, cloves, and bezoar. These carefully selected premium ingredients are also infused with the precious Dharma of the four major Tibetan Buddhist sects, the Mani Pill. After its completion, the incense was respectfully blessed by Rinpoche Jigme-Cheng for 49 days, performing the Complete Compendium of the Wrathful Deities. This allows the incense's inherent power and miraculous properties to blend with the vast, barrier-eliminating power of all wrathful deities in the Dharma Realm. It can also purify all contaminants, including inauspicious places, environments, hospitals, cemeteries, and infectious diseases. It brings peace to our homes, peace of mind, and a long life. This is a truly precious and precious incense.

"A Summary of Merits"

Subdues demons and eliminates obstacles, protects the body and brings good fortune, purifies pollution, dispels evil spirits and stops impurities, creates a vajra barrier,

Resolves entanglements and resolves grievances, illuminates the soul, opens the chakras, receives protection from the saints, and aids rebirth.

In Tibetan Buddhism, purifying incense powder is an important ritual item, widely used in religious ceremonies, meditation, environmental purification, and healing. It is not only a vital symbol of Tibetan Buddhist culture but is also closely tied to Tibetan spiritual practices and traditional Tibetan medicine. The following analyzes its influence and status:

1. **Spiritual and Religious Function**

In Tibetan Buddhism, purifying incense powder is considered a "sacred offering" (Tibetan: Dhupa), offered to the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma protectors, symbolizing the practitioner's devotion and devotion to the Dharma. Its smoke is believed to transmit prayers and wishes to the heavens, purifying negative energy and attracting positive energy. According to Tibetan Buddhist teachings, the act of burning incense embodies the philosophical concepts of impermanence (the dissipative nature of smoke) and the Five Elements (the balance of earth, water, fire, wind, and space), helping practitioners focus on the present moment and deepen their meditative experience.

In particular, in purification rituals such as Sang-Sol, purifying incense powder is used to clear the environment of foul air, negative spirits, or disease, creating a sacred space suitable for practice or ritual. This incense powder is used in all four major Tibetan Buddhist schools (Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug). It is particularly revered in schools such as Nyingma, which emphasize tantric practice, due to its association with the teachings of Guru Padmasambhava.

2. **Tibetan Medicine and Healing**

Purifying incense powder in Tibetan Buddhism serves not only spiritual purposes but is also closely linked to Tibetan medicine (derived from the Four Medical Treatises, Tibetan: rGyudbzhi). According to Tibetan medicine, all things in the universe are composed of the Five Elements, and illness arises from an imbalance within them. Purifying incense powders are typically formulated with a variety of high-altitude herbs, resins, and spices (such as sandalwood, agarwood, saffron, azalea, and snow lotus). These ingredients are believed to have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and soothing properties. Burning these powders can purify the air, prevent the spread of disease, relieve stress, anxiety, and nervous headaches, and improve sleep quality.

For example, the purifying incense powders of Mindroling Monastery are renowned for their unique formula. Legend has it that they were originally crafted by the monastery's founder, Rigzin Terdak Lingpa, specifically for the Dalai Lama. They are still considered a high-end offering and are often used in important religious ceremonies.

3. **Cultural Influence and Heritage**

Purifying incense powders carry the cultural heritage of Tibetan Buddhism. The craftsmanship is passed down through generations within monasteries and families, embodying the Tibetan wisdom of integrating nature, religion, and medicine. Famous production sites, such as Mindroling Monastery and Tunba Village in Niemo County, preserve traditional recipes and craftsmanship that have been around for over a thousand years. These incense powders are not only popular in Tibet but have also spread to Himalayan regions such as Nepal, Bhutan, and India, becoming a symbol of the globalization of Tibetan Buddhist culture.

In Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, purifying incense powders are often used alongside thangkas, Buddha statues, and ritual implements to create a sacred atmosphere. Among locals, they are used for home purification, meditation, and festivals such as Losar, the Tibetan New Year, demonstrating their widespread influence in both religious and secular life.

Origin of Usage

The use of purifying incense powders originates from the Indian Buddhist incense burning tradition. After Buddhism arrived in Tibet in the 7th century, it was combined with the indigenous Tibetan Bon religion's smoke offerings and principles of Tibetan medicine, gradually developing into a unique Tibetan Buddhist practice. Its detailed origins and evolution are as follows:

1. **Historical Origins**

The Tibetan Buddhist tradition of incense burning dates back to the 7th century, when Songtsan Gampo, the Tibetan king, sent Thonmi Sambhota to India to study Buddhism and culture, bringing back incense burning techniques. These techniques, derived from Indian Buddhist tantric texts (such as those of Nagarjuna) and Ayurvedic medicine, emphasize the spiritual and healing properties of incense.

In the 8th century, Padmasambhava introduced Tantric Buddhism to Tibet, further standardizing the recipes and usage of purifying incense powders. In particular, the Blue Water God's Fragrance Sutra describes the preparation of incense powders specifically designed to remove obstacles and impure energy. These recipes were later refined by Tibetan Buddhist monasteries (such as Mindrubling Monastery) and Tibetan medical scholars (such as Zurkhar Lodoe Gyalpo in the 14th century and Deumar in the 17th century), resulting in standardized production processes.

2. **Production and Ritualization**

The production of purifying incense powders is a sacred craft, requiring strict recipes and rituals. A typical process includes:

- **Raw Material Collection**: Herbs, resins, and spices such as sandalwood, agarwood, juniper, saffron, cloves, and bezoar are collected from the high altitudes of the Himalayas. These ingredients, often as many as 28 to 30 in total, are prepared according to the traditional ratios of Tibetan medicine and tantric texts.

- **Processing**: The raw materials are processed using either the "water method" (grinding into a powder and then mixing with water) or the "fire method" (roasting to enhance their potency) to reduce toxicity and enhance their efficacy. The powder is then mixed with natural binders (such as honey or flour) to create an incense paste, which is then pressed into bars using an ox horn tool or dried into a powder.

- **Blessing**: After the incense powder is made, it is blessed by a senior monk during a grand 49-day blessing ceremony. Relics from the four major sects (such as amrita pills) are then infused with spiritual energy to purify impurities and obstacles.

These steps not only preserve the traditional formula but also consider the production process itself a spiritual practice, reflecting the Tibetan Buddhist emphasis on concentration and devotion.

3. **Specific Usage**

Purifying incense powder can be used in a variety of ways, primarily including the following:

- **Religious Ritual**: When enshrining Buddha statues in temples or homes, incense powder is sprinkled onto burning charcoal or a dedicated incense burner. The smoke is used to purify the environment, offer sacrifices to the Buddhas, or ward off evil spirits. For example, during the "Sangso" ritual, incense powder is burned to clear negative energy from the temple or home.

- **Meditation Aid**: Practitioners light incense powder before meditation, using its aroma (such as juniper or sandalwood) to calm the mind and enhance concentration. The smoke is seen as a flow of energy, helping practitioners connect with their inner awareness.

- **Environmental Purification**: Incense powder is used to purify places such as hospitals, cemeteries, and new homes. It is believed to kill airborne pathogens, prevent the spread of disease, and dispel bad luck.

- **Medical Use**: According to Tibetan medicine, the smoke from the incense powder can penetrate the skin, regulate the body's five elements, relieve stress, improve respiratory health, or enhance immunity.

**Festivals and Daily Offerings**: During festivals like Losar (the Tibetan New Year), incense powder is burned to bring good luck and purification. In daily life, Tibetan families often burn incense powder to create a peaceful atmosphere.

4. **Legends and Cultural Reinforcement**

The use of purifying incense powder is also reinforced by legend. For example, the incense powder-making tradition in Tongba Village is said to have been established by Thonmi Sambhota in the 7th century.He invented water-milled incense powder using local water-powered grinding technology, improving villagers' lives and spreading Buddhist culture. This legend has cemented the sacred status of incense powder in Tibetan Buddhism, making it a fusion of spirituality and practicality.

Summary

Purifying incense powder in Tibetan Buddhism is not only a core element of religious ritual but also integrates Tibetan medicine and cultural traditions, serving multiple functions of purification, healing, and spiritual upliftment. Its influence extends to monasteries, families, and Tibetan Buddhist communities worldwide, serving as a bridge connecting people with the sacred, nature, and spirituality. Its use dates back to the fusion of Indian Buddhism and Bon religion, and was standardized by Guru Padmasambhava and later Tibetan medical scholars, evolving into today's handmade and ritualized practices, reflecting Tibetan Buddhism's profound understanding of nature, medicine, and spirituality.

Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place.

Shelf Life: Indefinite if properly stored.