It's best to burn a few incense sticks on the first day of the new year

On the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, three incense sticks were usually burned. These three incense sticks represented precepts, concentration, and wisdom respectively, and also represented the three treasures of offering to Buddha, Dharma, and monks. In addition, some people believed that the three incense sticks also represented heaven, earth, and people, implying peace and good fortune. There was no fixed number of incense sticks, but the most common was three. The time to burn incense was generally chosen after seven o'clock in the morning. At this time, people were usually up and relatively free. When burning incense, one had to maintain a respectful attitude. The correct way was to insert the first incense in the middle, the second incense on the right, and the third incense on the left. Burning incense was a way to express respect and faith. Through the fragrance emitted by burning incense, people established a connection with gods, ancestors, or other supernatural forces, which could help them better realize their wishes.

Families usually burn three incense sticks on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month. According to Buddhism, the first incense stick was called the Abstinence Incense, which represented getting rid of bad habits and delusions; the second incense stick was called the Meditation Incense, which represented meditating and abandoning distracting thoughts; and the third incense stick was called the Fate Incense, which represented obtaining wisdom. These three incense sticks were inserted in the middle, right, and left of the incense burner, symbolizing fairness, freshness, and clarity. The number of incense sticks wasn't necessarily the better. Three incense sticks represented the meaning of heaven, earth, and man, or the three worlds. Therefore, families usually burned three incense sticks on the first and fifteenth of the month.

On the first day of the new year in 2024, the auspicious time for offering incense was between seven and nine in the morning.

The best time to offer incense on the first day of the year 2024 was after seven in the morning. At this time, people had just woken up and washed up. There were not many social activities, and the temple was not too crowded. This kind of environment was helpful for worshipping without distractions, and it was also easier for the gods to notice your prayers.

The best time to burn incense on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month was after seven in the morning and before seven at night. It was time for people to get up and wash up after seven in the morning. At this time, offering incense could bring benefits to the gods. Before seven o'clock in the evening was the appropriate time, because it would be disrespectful to Buddha and Bodhisattva to offer incense too late. In addition, the time to burn incense on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month could also be chosen around eight in the morning. At this time, people had already woken up and washed up, and had not eaten yet, so the effect of burning incense was the best. In general, the best time to burn incense on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month was in the morning or evening. The specific time depended on the individual's situation and religious habits.

The picture of three incense sticks referred to the order and method of inserting three incense sticks when burning incense. We can come to the following conclusion: 1. When offering incense, one incense stick was suitable. If three incense sticks were to be offered, the first incense stick would be inserted in the middle, the second incense stick would be inserted on the right, and the third incense stick would be inserted on the left. 2. When the first incense stick was inserted, one could recite the name of the offering Buddha, representing the Buddha of refuge. 3. When the second incense stick was inserted, one could recite the method of offering, which represented the law of return. 4. When the third incense stick was inserted, one could recite the name of the offering monk, which represented the monk who had returned. According to the above information, the order of the three incense pictures was: first insert the middle one, then insert the right one, and finally insert the left one. This order represented the meaning of returning to Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

The correct way to burn incense was to light the incense with the head facing down with the left hand holding the incense stick. One could recite the incense incantation: " Often burn the incense in the heart, get great peace." If the incense accidentally ignited the open fire, it was forbidden to blow it out with the mouth. Just fan it with your right hand or shake it to extinguish the open fire. Then, he used his left thumb and index finger to pinch the upper end of the incense stick, and his right thumb and index finger to pinch the lower end of the incense stick. Then, he placed the incense stick in front of his chest and bowed three times.

There was a particular way to go to the temple to offer incense on the first day of the New Year. The first day of the Lunar New Year was a Chinese folk custom. People thought that the first day of the Lunar New Year was a lively day with an atmosphere. The first day of the month is the day when the moon is full. It is also the tenth day of fasting. The merit of offering incense can be multiplied. When entering the temple, one had to be quiet, not loud, and not take pictures with their mobile phones to show respect to Buddha and Bodhisattva. According to the analysis of the old calendar, the first day of the first lunar month was suitable for visiting the temple at the time of dawn (1 to 3 o'clock) and the time of dawn (7 to 9 o'clock). In addition, the time to burn incense was usually before eight o'clock in the morning or after the sun came out, when the yang qi rose. In short, going to the temple to offer incense on the first day of the New Year was a devout act that could pray for blessings and improve luck.

Dune 2 director Dennis Villeneuve received 13 incense sticks from Chinese fans when he met with his fans in Beijing.

Dune 2 director Dennis Villeneuve received 13 incense sticks from Chinese fans at the Beijing event.