Material: Gilded incense burner (three pieces. Not sold separately)

Size: 18 x 12.5 cm approx.

Narrative:

The incense burner of Tibetan Buddhism is not only an important instrument for worshiping Buddhist teachings, but also carries profound cultural and religious significance. Different from the standing incense commonly used in Chinese Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism mostly uses **lying incense**, which is to place agarwood or incense sticks horizontally in the incense burner and burn them to achieve the effect of purifying the mind and worshiping Buddha.

**Story and symbolism of the incense burner**

Incense burners symbolize purity, offerings and blessings in Tibetan Buddhism. Its shapes are varied, and common materials include copper, ceramics and wood products. Among them, copper incense burners are particularly popular because they are stable, durable and solemn. Many Tibetan incense burners are engraved with the **Eight Auspicious Treasures** or the **Six-Character Mantra** (Om Mani Padme Hum) to enhance the merit of the offering.

In Tibetan Buddhist practice rituals, burning incense is seen as a way to convey offerings and prayers to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The rising smoke symbolizes the wishes and prayers of the practitioner being carried to a higher spiritual realm. In addition, incense burners are also closely related to the **smoke offering** ceremony, which is a way of practicing to purify the environment, eliminate karma and benefit all living beings by burning offerings.