The Heritage and Healing Power of Traditional Tibetan Incense

In 2008, the craft of Tibetan incense making was officially included in China’s second batch of national intangible cultural heritage.

Tibetan incense has been cherished since ancient times. Known in Tibet as a rare “Heavenly Wood” from the sacred snow mountains, it is not only regarded as a supreme offering in Buddhist rituals but also honored in traditional Tibetan medicine as a form of “minor agarwood.”

Legend has it that in the 7th century, Tibetan minister Thonmi Sambhota created Tibetan incense under the guidance of Tibetan medical theories. This gave rise to a 1,300-year-old heritage of hand-ground incense craftsmanship that has since spread widely.

Even in the Chinese classic Dream of the Red Chamber, there are depictions of Tibetan incense use. When Shi Chun copied the Heart Sutra for Grandmother Jia, her maid specifically brought out a bundle of Tibetan incense, saying, “This is lit while copying scriptures.” Lin Daiyu, too, would ask her maid Ziju to light Tibetan incense whenever she wrote scriptures.

The Art and Ingredients of Tibetan Incense

Tibetan incense is made from over 20 carefully selected precious Tibetan medicinal herbs such as sandalwood, white silverwood, saffron, snow lotus, and cloves. All materials are naturally sourced from their places of origin and follow ancient traditional methods. Herbs are crushed in stone troughs, kneaded into incense paste, and extruded through perforated yak horns, then sun-dried under the golden light of the Tibetan plateau. The entire process demands extraordinary skill, patience, and a purified heart.

During production, artisans purify their hands, tools, and minds. As a result, the incense not only soothes the body but also calms the soul. When people burn Tibetan incense as an offering, their hearts naturally become serene, devout, and benevolent.

Medicinal Value and Everyday Use

Tibetan incense has long been used for domestic health and spiritual protection. A poetic line reads:

“Wards off evil and cold, clears filth and plague.”

It is believed to prevent illness and enhance physical and mental well-being.

As a branch of Tibetan medicine, incense benefits major organs and is considered a completely natural, green product.

Medicinal effects include:

• Detoxification, antibacterial, antiviral
• Eliminates airborne pathogens and purifies the air
• Prevents flu, mumps, hand-foot-mouth disease
• Aromatic diffusion refreshes skin, improves immunity
• Prevents cardiovascular diseases
• Relieves joint pain, soothes nerves, improves sleep

In Tibetan medical history, incense played an important role in epidemic prevention. For example, in the 15th century, Tibetan doctors used incense-based remedies to curb widespread infections affecting infants in Lhasa, Shigatse, and Shannan.

Even today, burning incense at home is recommended for air purification and mild viral prevention. While not 100% protective, it contributes to a cleaner and healthier indoor environment.

Sacred Offering in Vajrayana Practice

In Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, incense is not just an aromatic product—it is a sacred offering to the Three Jewels (the Guru, Buddha, and Dharma). It is believed to:

1. Attract blessings and protection from enlightened beings
2. Purify negative karma and uphold discipline
3. Quickly accumulate merit and wisdom
4. Support meditation and spiritual insight
5. Help practitioners accomplish their goals swiftly

Tibetan incense follows the combined wisdom of Tibetan craftsmanship and medicine, incorporating ancient formulas from Tibetan masters and Guru Padmasambhava. Crafted from natural ingredients like saffron, sandalwood, and clove, it undergoes multiple processes including grinding, blending, and fermenting—resulting in a product that embodies the essence of Tibetan culture.

For Vajrayana practitioners, incense serves as:

• A sacred offering to the Guru and deities
• A method to purify ritual spaces and eliminate obstacles
• A means to bring joy to deities and guide sentient beings
• A spiritual aid for refining the body, breath, and mind

The act of burning incense carries profound spiritual significance and tangible benefits. Tibetan incense is both a sacred ritual tool and a symbol of cultural heritage. Rooted in tradition yet relevant today, it continues to bring peace, clarity, and healing to modern life.