Before reading, I would like to remind you that this article is for informational entertainment only and should not be superstitious!
"A stick of fragrance penetrates the sky, and all wishes come true." Burning incense, as an ancient Chinese traditional custom, has been passed down for thousands of years, not only as a part of religious ceremonies, but also as a manifestation of folk beliefs. Whenever there is a festival or an important moment in life, people will always light a stick of incense to express their sincere respect to the gods and pray for peace and good luck.
Burning incense is not only a ritual, but also a kind of spiritual sustenance and spiritual comfort. When burning incense, saying these five words will not only make us more sincere in our hearts, but also make us more determined to walk every step of life.
Of course, everyone's beliefs and habits are different, but the meaning of these five words is universal.
"Sincerity is spirituality", may your every prayer be fulfilled, and may your every step be firm and powerful.
Don't forget to say these five words when burning incense, they may become a beacon in your life's journey, illuminating your path forward.
The first word is "gratitude".
In his early years, Han Xin lived in poverty, and once had no food to eat, and lived on the streets. One day, he fished under Huaiyin City, hoping to satisfy his hunger, but his luck was not good, and he never got a catch. At this time, an old woman (often called "Drifting Mother") who was washing clothes by the river saw this, felt pity and gave half of the food she had brought to Han Shin for several days. Han Shin was deeply moved and promised to repay him again in the future. The old woman said lightly that she did not help Han Xin in retribution, but out of sympathy for the plight of a young man.
Many years later, Han Xin defected to Liu Bang, and with his outstanding military talents, he performed many miraculous feats, and finally helped Liu Bang establish the Han Dynasty and was named the king of Qi. After becoming rich, Han Xin did not forget the drifting mother who helped him in his predicament. He sent someone to find the old woman and gave her a thousand gold to repay the kindness of the meal that year. This is the origin of "a thousand gold", and it is also a vivid embodiment of the spirit of "the grace of a drop of water, when the spring reciprocates".
The ancients said: "The grace of a drop of water should be reciprocated by a spring." This sentence embodies the wisdom of the ancients and a deep understanding of human nature. In traditional Chinese culture, gratitude is an important virtue that represents the cherishing and reciprocal kindness of others. On the sacred occasion of burning incense, we should first express our gratitude.
Speaking of gratitude, I can't help but think of the ancient legend, when Dayu controlled the water, he got the help of many mythical beasts and the people, Dayu remembered these kindnesses, and after the success of the water control, he repaid these kindnesses one by one, which also became a good story for later generations. As the "Book of Songs" says: "Vote for me with a peach, and repay it with a plum." "Gratitude is not only a verbal thanks, but also a kind of heartfelt cherishing and practical action in return.
When we burn incense, we thank the gods for their protection, just as the ancients thanked the heavens for their gifts.
We are grateful for the gift of time, because time is the fairest of all, and it gives us growth and experience.
We also want to be thankful for the little things in life, because these details make up our colorful life.
Jia Sixian, an agronomist of the Northern Wei Dynasty, mentioned in "Qi Min's Technique": "Strength can overcome poverty, and you can overcome disaster." This quote tells us that hard work can defeat poverty, and that prudence can avoid disaster.
When we are grateful for everything in life, we will appreciate what we have now more and will face life's challenges and difficulties with more humility. Because people who know how to be grateful will realize that their success and happiness are not taken for granted, but come from the help and support of others.
In modern society, people often say: "Gratitude is a kind of strength, which allows us to learn to cherish and learn to reciprocate." "When we are grateful, we are more attentive to the needs of others and are willing to reach out to help others.
The second word is "reverence."
Burning incense, an ancient ritual, has long gone beyond a simple formal meaning, and it deeply embodies people's reverence for the gods. This reverence, like Confucius's reverence for the temple, and Socrates' quest for wisdom, is a reverence for the unknown and the great.
In ancient China, there was a story about Luban. Known as the ancestor of carpentry, Luban was a skilled man, but every time he started a new project, he would reverently burn incense and pray for blessings as a sign of reverence for the gods and skills. It is precisely because of his reverence that his works have been able to be passed down through the ages and become treasures for future generations. This is just as depicted in the Book of Songs: "Trembling, like facing the abyss, like walking on thin ice." "A man of reverence is always humble and prudent in the pursuit of skill and knowledge.
In modern society, scientists often perform similar rituals before conducting important experiments or explorations, although the form may be different, but at the heart of it is a reverence for the unknown and nature. Albert Einstein once said, "Of all the forces of nature, I am most in awe of the order of the universe." This awe propelled him to explore the mysteries of the universe, which ultimately led to his greatness.
When we face nature, we should be like Mencius said: "When it is not against agriculture, grain cannot be eaten; The number of dogs does not enter the pond, and the fish and turtles cannot be eaten; The axe catty enters the mountains and forests at the right time, and the timber is not usable. "It's both a reverence for nature and a respect for life.
Only by maintaining a sense of reverence at all times can we keep a clear head and not lose our way in a complex world.
Awe is also an important force that drives us to continue to progress and explore.
As the ancients said: "Knowing is knowing, not knowing is not knowing, and knowing is knowing." "Only by being in awe and curiosity about the unknown can we continue to broaden our horizons and cognitive boundaries.
The third word is "confession."
During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of the Shu Han Dynasty, decided to conquer Meng in the south in order to stabilize the southern border, so as to eliminate worries. Meng Huo was a powerful leader in the Southern Barbarian Land, brave and good at fighting, and was deeply loved by the tribe. In the first confrontation, Meng Huo was captured alive by Zhuge Liang, but Zhuge Liang did not kill or imprison him, but treated him politely and released Meng Huo, hoping to win his heart and achieve the purpose of "attacking the heart first".
After Meng Huo returned to the tribe, he was unwilling to fail and gathered forces to fight back many times, while Zhuge Liang used his accurate grasp of the terrain and people's hearts to capture Meng Huo six times in a row, and each time he released him with a magnanimous attitude. This is not only a military contest, but also a game of psychology and intelligence.
Until he was captured for the seventh time, Meng Shu was completely impressed by Zhuge Liang's benevolence, and sighed: "Gong, Tianwei also, the southerners are no longer going back!" This is not only a recognition of Zhuge Liang's military talents, but also a deep admiration for his broad-mindedness and benevolent political philosophy. Through this series of "capture and indulgence", Zhuge Liang not only pacified the Southern Barbarians, but more importantly, won the hearts of the people and achieved real long-term peace and stability.
"If a person is not a sage, who can be without fault?" It is vividly displayed in this historical interlude. Zhuge Liang knew very well that although the conquest by force could solve the problem for a while, it was difficult to eradicate the hidden dangers, and only by convincing people with virtue and understanding and tolerating the mistakes of the opponent could peace and stability be truly achieved. His attitude towards Meng Huo is the best commentary on the idea that "everyone has faults, and the important thing is whether they can repent and progress".
"If a person is not a sage, who can be without fault?" This old proverb speaks to the truth of human nature. In life, no matter how careful and cautious you are, there will inevitably be mistakes and mistakes.
In the face of this, we should not avoid or cover it up, but should be brave enough to admit it and seek to correct it.
On the sacred occasion of burning incense, we should confess our mistakes to the gods and ask for forgiveness.
In the Analects, Zeng Tzu said: "I have three provinces in my day." This sentence tells us to reflect on ourselves many times every day and check whether there is any fault in our words and deeds. And confession is the deepening and practice of this introspection.
The ancient sages were well aware of the importance of repentance, and they believed that only by sincerely confronting one's mistakes could one gain the forgiveness of the gods and the forgiveness of the world. This kind of thinking is also of great significance in modern society.
We often say, "Knowing mistakes can be corrected, and good is great." This is a modern interpretation of the spirit of confession.
"The prodigal son will not change his money." It doesn't matter what a person's past is, what matters is whether he is willing to admit and correct his mistakes.
In this fast-paced, high-pressure modern society, we should always maintain a repentant heart. Whenever we feel lost or make a mistake, we should calm down and sincerely confess to the gods for inner peace and guidance.
"It can be changed after that, and it is very good." Whether in ancient or modern times, in the East or in the West, repentance is an important way to the salvation of human nature.
The fourth word is "wish".
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." This old proverb, like every wish that people make when burning incense, implies a vision for the future and the pursuit of beauty. When incense is burned, the smoke fills the air, and people whisper softly, telling the gods their deepest wishes.
These wishes are either about health and longevity, or about career success, or about family harmony and children's success.
In ancient Chinese legends, there is a story about the "Wishing Tree". According to legend, in the ancient village, there was a large tree with lush foliage, which was considered a sacred tree. Villagers often burn incense under this tree and make wishes, praying for good weather and abundant harvests. Whenever their wish is granted, they return to the tree to make a vow and thank the sacred tree for its protection. Although this legend is full of mystery, it also reflects people's yearning for a better life and their persistent pursuit of wishes.
In ancient poems, there is no lack of depictions of wishes. For example, Bai Juyi once wrote: "I have a thought, and I think of it in my heart." May you be healthy and safe. This is not only a blessing to friends, but also represents people's universal pursuit of health, peace and other wishes.
There is a cloud in the Book of Changes: "Tianxingjian, a gentleman is constantly striving for self-improvement." It tells us that God rewards hard work, and only by continuous efforts and struggles can we realize our wishes. While praying for the blessings of the gods, we should also be down-to-earth and take concrete actions to fulfill our wishes. It's like the old saying, "It's better to make a wish than to do it." ”
There are also many folk customs and proverbs about making wishes. For example, "burn incense and worship the Buddha for peace, and sincerely make wishes come true", which not only reflects people's devotion to the gods, but also expresses their ardent expectations for their wishes. There is also "make a wish and do not return the wish, and become a cow and horse in the next life", which is to warn people to know how to be grateful and repay after the wish is realized.
The fifth word is "commitment".
At the end of the Qin Dynasty, there was a man named Ji Bu, who had always spoken and counted, and had a very high reputation, so many people were willing to establish a deep friendship with him, and even spread the proverb "It is better to get a hundred catties of gold than to get Ji Bu Yinuo". This is a high praise for those who keep their promises. Later, Ji Bu offended Liu Bang, the ancestor of the Han Dynasty, and was arrested with a bounty, but his old friends not only did not get confused by the heavy money, but took great risks to protect him, and it was precisely because of his long-term integrity that he accumulated people's respect and friendship.
"A promise is a promise, and a word must be done." This proverb speaks to the weight and importance of commitment. On the sacred occasion of burning incense, we should not only express our wishes to the gods, but also make a solemn commitment to our future, to our families, and to society with deep affection and firmness.
This kind of commitment is not uncommon in ancient Chinese literature. The poet Du Fu once said: "It will be the top of the mountain, and you can see the mountains at a glance." This is both a testament to his ambition and a commitment to his future achievements.
In the same way, the promise we make when we burn incense today is also a manifestation of our future self-expectations.
These commitments can be about personal growth, family responsibilities, or even social responsibility.
"University" said: "Sincerity and righteousness, self-cultivation and family governance of the country and the world." This is not only a requirement of personal morality, but also an interpretation of personal commitment. We promise to be sincere and upright, to cultivate self-cultivation, to work for the harmony and happiness of the family, and to have the determination to contribute to the prosperity and stability of the country and society.
Commitment is also a kind of self-discipline and self-motivation. It makes us more clear about our goals and firm in our beliefs. As the saying goes: "A gentleman's word, a horse is hard to chase." "Once we have made a commitment, we have to go all out to achieve it, keep moving forward, and be brave on the road to achieving our aspirations.
In Western literature, there are also many stories and quotes about commitment. For example, Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, "Give me a promise, and I will make you live in hope." This underscores the hope and strength that commitment gives to people.
Finally, I hope that every devout believer can feel the protection and guidance of the gods at the moment of burning incense, and move towards a better future.
May we all cherish every gratitude, awe, repentance, wish and commitment in our lives and become a better version of ourselves.