8 Auspicious Offerings - 4th Offering - Incense [Part 5]

The subject continue today is all about what significant for Eight offerings, we make these offerings to the Buddhas, enlightened beings in many practices, such as the Vajrasattva Practice, Guru Yoga and other profound Vajrayana practices.

The Buddhas, enlightened beings they do not requiring these kind of offerings. We make these offerings is for accumulation of merits and wisdoms, enlightenment, Buddha hood, is achieved through these great qualities - accumulation and purifications. As we knew the Buddhas had limitless of qualities which were attained through these two mentioned qualities.

4) Incense for offerings ( Discipline, Moral Ethnic )

Om Benza Dhupe Ah Hum
Incense, or fragrance is offered not because the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are in need of assistance to get rid of any bad odors. Rather, incense if offered so that the annihilation of all unpleasant and unhealthful smells may take place, and, ultimately, that the merit accumulated might bring about the realization of perfection of the profound scent of discipline. It has been said that whoever has perfected the discipline is surrounded by a sweet fragrance.

Incense symbolizes moral ethnics or discipline, moral disciplines is one of the most important practices. When we are having a good discipline, there is morality. 

Discipline is in the teaching of dharma, for instances will be when our guru or Lama asking us to meditate like this, sit like this, do this and that, so this is being taught like discipline, when we followed the instructions, it is good moral ethnics but if we can't do or following the instructions that are taught to be done, then there is no morality, no ethnics. 

In Sanskrit, this is called shila which means coolness, freshness. When we are having good disciplines, it cools the mind free from sufferings. When we sit or stay in the rightful and correct position while meditating, it relaxes the minds and frees it from agitation. Therefore the Buddha gave us these three teachings - moral ethnic, samadhi and wisdom, called the three trainings.

These three trainings are very important. Wisdom or special insight comes from samadhi , the stability and strength of the mind. This kind of mind is based on discipline and morality. All are related to each other, are connected to each other and depend on each other. Moral and ethnic is a very important aspect of our paths.

Incense, which is the natural of morality, makes offerings to the enlightened beings. The enlightened beings are not attracted to the incense smell or smoke, but to our purity. 

All people respect those who have kept moral ethnic well and it doesn't matter who they are, they get respect because they are trustworthy and dependable. 

The qualities of the enlightened beings are also attached to by morality. It is their foundation, basis, just like the ground which grows all the "crops" of the enlightened qualities.

Fifth offerings to be continued in part 6

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Dedication of merits May those who read and sharing of this blog's information be peaceful and joyful. May the Buddha Dharma be flourished and the merits will be dedicated to the sentient beings.