- Incense Information -
Makko, (Ground incense) is a finely ground powder which is now used as a base to burn raw incense upon. Traditionally it was spread on the floors of temples or meditation area in order to keep away pests and disease. One sutra gives Clove, Sandalwood, Aloeswood, Frankincense, Borneol, Mustard seeds, and Nutmeg as a mixture to use.
Incense Seals & Time Keeping
Incense sticks were used as clocks in China even before the famous "Incense Clocks" and "Incense Seals." Esoteric monks Subhakarasimha, Vajrabodhi, and Amoghavajra introduced Incense Seals (Hsiang yin) into China around the 8th century. The predecessor of the seals is believed to be the "Seal of Avalokitesvara." (often called Kwan Yin or Kannon) These seals became time measurement instruments or incense clocks in both China and Japan. Incense sticks (Senko) and incense coils were already being used as clocks before the seal was introduced into China.
There are many variations and presentations of incense seals or incense trails, but the basic principle is an ash bed in which an impression is made. The impression is filled with Makko (Incense Powder) and lightly compacted and lit.
The incense powder (Makko) was probably pure Sandalwood powder in the beginning. Later, other ingredients were added. One of them is Tabu-no-ki (Machillus thunbergii bark) which is also used as a binder for incense sticks. Makkos became incenses in their own right, and these mixtures to make a seal or trail are wide and varied. Anthing from pure sandalwood to formulas of several incense resins, woods, spices and herbs.
One style uses pure Tabu in the impression and Shoko (Chipped Incense) sprinkled on top of the trail as it burns. Shoko can be a complex or simple mixture itself. It can be pure sandalwood chips, pure aloeswood chips, pure clove, or a mixture of all three. Shokos can also be complex mixtures containing special herbs and spices. It's very easy to make either your own makko or shoko. The basis for shokos is the five basic ingredients from the Buddhist sutras: Aloeswood (Vairochana-Buddha Family), Clove (Akshobya -- Vajra or Wisdom Family), Sandalwood (Amitabha--Padma or Lotus Family), Turmeric (Amogasiddhi -- Karma Family), and Borneol (Ratnasambhava --Ratna Family). Shokos can be burned on charcoal or on incense base powder (makko). This was the first kind of incense in Japan. For some ceremonial practices any of the above might be used alone, or in combination. Other ingredients were sometimes substituted in religious practices, and today they usually contain more ingredients than the original five.
The Japanese for Incense Sticks is "Senko" and "Incense Sticks" were first introduced in Sakai City from China during the Muromachi period. The importers were medicinal and herbal suppliers. Before long some suppliers began to specialize in incense medicine, and later began making the Incense Sticks themselves. These suppliers became known as Jinkoyas, from the Japanese word "Jinko" which means "Sinking Wood." So the first incense sticks imported were those prepared in the herbal medicine trade of Chinese Medicine. Incense for medicinal purposes is recorded as far back as the earliest recorded official pharmacopoia, the "Hsin hsiu pen ts'ao" (659 A.D.)
Later, in the Edo period when Buddhism regained popularity in Japan, incense sticks were sought by temples and individuals from these suppliers for religious offerings, and for enjoyment. No doubt, Buddhists in Japan were already familiar with incense sticks before this, and surely Zen Masters such as Dogen brought incense sticks back with them from their trips to China. Joss sticks were not new to Buddhist practice. Incense sticks were used in Ch'an (Zen Practice) in China at least as far back as the T'ang period. Each Buddhist practice viewed incense from somewhat different perspectives. For some, the tradition of "Incense Offerings" in the nature of shokos (chipped incense) was, and is, still predominant. Zen Buddhism uses joss sticks during meditation (zazen) and shokos in certain ceremonies.
Commonly, most Buddhist teachers will say incense is not used as a psychotropic aid for meditation or religious practice, or a psychological-state altering vehicle to enlightenment. The vast majority of Buddhist monks would not prescribe incense for this purpose, and feel you should be able to meditate and achieve spiritual awakening regardless of the aromatic environment. Benefits the Zen monks may speak of are: incense helps keep the flies out of the Zendo, it prevents unwanted body odors from becoming a distraction, and that it is used as a clock or timer for sitting periods. And then they will tell you not to blink if a fly drinks the water from your eye, no odor should distract your meditation, and don't watch the clock "Time is Being!"
Incense Charcoal made from Bamboo
is free of Salt Peter; it lights easily and burns cleanly. This type of Japanese Incense charcoal has been used for heating incense woods, chipped incense, and resins for centuries in Japan. One method is to place the charcoal in a bed of rice chaff ash and place the incense woods, resins, or loose incense around the perimeter of the charcoal. Some people also cover the charcoal with ash and place the incense on top.Our thanks to David & Baieido for providing this information.
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MAY YOU ALWAYS ENJOY GOOD SCENTS !
