Ten Virtues of Incense

TEN VIRTUES OF INCENSE

The Ten Virtues of Incense (香十德)

A verse celebrating ten virtues of incense. It is traditionally attributed to the Northern Song poet Huang Tingjian (黃庭堅) and has long been recited in the incense cultures of China, Korea and Japan.

一感格鬼神Reaches the spirits
Incense reaches the divine; even spirits respond to it.
二淸淨心身Clears body and mind
It leaves body and mind clear and clean.
三能除汚穢Dispels impurity
It clears away filth and stale air.
四能覺睡眠Wakes from slumber
It rouses one from drowsiness and brings alertness.
五靜中成友A friend in stillness
In quiet moments, it becomes a companion.
六塵裏偸閑Leisure amid the dust
It offers a moment of ease in a busy world.
七多而不厭Plenty, never tiresome
Even in abundance, it never wearies.
八寡而爲足A little is enough
Even a small amount is ample.
九久藏不朽Keeps without decay
Stored for a long time, it does not decay.
十常用無礙Daily use, no hindrance
It may be used every day without hindrance.

NATURAL INCENSE

Uses of natural incense

Incense has been part of human life since ancient times. People burned natural incense to purify a space, to scent clothing and bedding, and to keep insects away. They also carried it on the body in sachets.

Among all incense, agarwood was counted the incense of incense, but it was so rare and costly that only a few connoisseurs could enjoy it. For the same reason it was hard to tell genuine from false, and even today it is important to check the origin and species carefully when choosing agarwood.

How to choose agarwood

Ways of enjoying incense
Method	Description
Heated incense (薰香)	A piece of agarwood is placed on charcoal or an electric burner and warmed gently
Stick incense (線香)	Powder is kneaded into thin sticks, which are lit and burned
Scenting clothes (薰衣)	Clothing and bedding are held in incense smoke to take on its scent
Sachets (香囊)	Incense is placed in a small pouch and carried on the body
Offerings (供養)	Incense is offered to the Buddha and the gods at temples and in rituals

The Ten Virtues of Incense (香十德)

Uses of natural incense

Further reading

This Is Agarwood (in Korean)

Asking Agarwood, Listening to Agarwood (in Korean)