Respect is important, the rituals aren't so important.
To be honest I never burned incense for years... even to Buddhas.
Originally posted by QX179R:just to share a tip which I've learnt & its about joss sticks but nothing to do with wakes..
when I used to attend 995 calls regarding decomposed bodies, I would find a few joss sticks, light 'em up & hold but its got nothing to do with praying or whatsoever, its just to prevent the foul smell caused by the decomposed body to "stick" on my uniform..
By the way, burning paper also used to be a way to keep away the foul smell of decomposing bodies in the past.
Somehow this turned into a superstition (i.e. burn paper money thinking it can benefit the dead).
Originally posted by An Eternal Now:By the way, burning paper money also used to be a way to keep away the foul smell of decomposing bodies in the past.
Somehow this turned into a superstition.
but the burning of joss sticks really worked for me..
well, it could be subjective coz it may or may not work for some..
Originally posted by likeyou:Let me relate this true true story to everbody here about holding/cannot hold joss sticks.
My aunt died. She was converted by her daughter. So, the wake dont hv any joss stick, only song and prayer.
My uncle, his sister, was a toaist, he loved his sister so much, cried and forgot he brought the joss stick.
The daughter asked her uncle, my uncle too, to offer the joss stick outside away from the tend. My uncle was so sad with this act.
Then a sudden gust of wind toppled the table and threatening lift up the tent.
After quickly offering the joss stick with some fruits and food at one quiet corner of the floor , the wind suddenly gone and become peaceful.
I am sadden by their children act too. But we cannot do much and cannot meddle their family affairs.
I will slap that daughter.
good quality incense are burned to calm the mind, cure sickness (those made with herbs) and clear sinus/colds.
Some incense can be sold up to $100 per box ( esp from Japan). Some pieces of incense wood can be eaten to cure certain illness. (sold by $1000).
Some incense are used to clear the house of negativity.
There are many purposes.