Potala incense

Tibetan Incense

Tibetan or Himalayan incense has long been valued as a ritual aid in Tibet and throughout the Himalayan regions. Today it continues to be manufactured in Tibet and also in Nepal and India where there is a large exiled Tibetan community. Tibetan incense is used daily for ritual offerings and is prescribed in Tibetan medicine for its healing properties and distinct aroma. Guru Padmasambhava is believed to have hidden a terma teaching on the use and preparation of incense during his stay in Tibet in the 8th century. This treasure text was later discovered, and the practice was adopted by all lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. Over the centuries, other recipes have been formulated by accomplished masters and established practitioners of Tibetan Medicine.

A daily incense or chanted offering has thus become an important part of Tibetan culture. In fact, most homes and monasteries will have a place reserved exclusively for offering and burning incense. Tibetan incense is typically rolled into sticks or mixed into a powder. Unlike Indian incense, it is not rolled onto bamboo sticks. It is composed exclusively of herbs, plant resins, spices, and minerals, and some special varieties can contain over 100 ingredients. The use of incense is also an important aspect of Tibetan medicine and is often burned to relieve depression, stress, and anxiety. Due to its calming effect on the mind, it is also widely used as an aid to meditation and relaxation.