Shechen Monastery Incense: Blue Box, Boudha Nepal 96.5 Grams

 Recipe from Mindroling Monastery in Tibet

96.5 Grams

Tibetan-Style Herbal Incense:

This handcrafted herbal incense collection featured at Yulokod Studios is made in Nepal using time-honoured methods passed down through generations of monastic and village practitioners. Each stick is carefully prepared by skilled artisans using a complex blend of over 35 Himalayan herbs, roots, spices and resins, selected for their aromatic depth, energetic qualities and ritual use. Sourced from the pristine mountain regions, these ingredients are finely ground into a paste, hand-rolled without a wooden core, and sun-dried to create a pure, slow-burning incense free from synthetic additives or essential oils.

Tibetan incense is traditionally used to purify space, calm the mind, and support spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer, and energy healing. The thicker, woodless format burns with a dense, resinous smoke and allows the natural ingredients to unfold slowly and authentically. These sticks do not contain essential oils and when stored well, they maintain their quality for many years.

Natural Herbs

These blends are crafted from a diverse selection of wildcrafted Himalayan botanicals, including Sandalwood, Cloves, Cardamom, Camphor, and over 30 other rare and undisclosed herbs. Its aroma is woody, herbal and grounding with no dominant note, making it ideal for cleansing sacred spaces or enhancing focus during meditation. It burns with a subtle depth, reflecting the diverse terrain of the Himalayas.

Specific Elements often used: 

Amber and Musk

Prepared according to an ancient Tibetan recipe, this incense combines powdered Amber and Musk essence with Sandalwood and a host of other herbs. The result is a rich, slightly sweet fragrance that blends earthy and warm resinous notes. It supports a deepening of concentration and inner calm, while offering a soothing aromatic presence in any space.

Musk and Jasmine (Goja)

For more sensual and uplifting blends, Goja incense combines floral Jasmine with earthy Musk and Sandalwood. The fragrance is bright and expressive without being overpowering. It is ideal for heart-centered practices, creative work, or when you want to gently elevate the energy of a room while staying grounded.

Burn time is generous, and the absence of wood means no wastage. The sticks can be easily broken into smaller sections, allowing for a brief, focused aromatic experience.

About Incense Burning in General:

Burning incense in Buddhism is not merely a habit; it is a vital ritual to banish impurities, cleanse one’s body and mind, and connect with the Buddha. Furthermore, the fragrance itself is considered the supreme offering for the Buddha.

By understanding the deep meaning behind incense, your time spent facing the Buddha will become more sacred and peaceful.

1. The Role of “Purification” to Cleanse Body and Mind

The first reason is to create a pure space. The refreshing scent of incense has long been believed to change the atmosphere of a place and banish impurities. Before welcoming the Buddha, the incense is burned to purify the area and cleanse the worshippers’ bodies and clothes of worldly dirt. The scent also has a calming effect, helping to clear away worldly worries and prepare a pure heart for facing the Buddha.

It is said that when Shakyamuni Buddha preached, incense was burned to eliminate odors in gathering places and create a pure space. This was the beginning of incense in Buddhist rituals, eventually taking on the meaning of purification and memorial offerings.

2. “Kojiki” (Incense Eating): A Meal for Buddhas and Ancestors

In the Buddhist scripture Abhidharma-kosa (Kusharon), the term “Kojiki” appears. This literally means “eating fragrance.” While living humans consume physical food, Buddhas and spirits without physical bodies consume good fragrances as their meals. Therefore, offering the finest scents is considered the highest form of hospitality for Buddhas and ancestors. And also a wonderful way to nourish and support deceased loved ones.

3. Rising Smoke as a Bridge Connecting the Living and the Spirit World

The smoke rising from the incense and stretching toward the sky is seen as a communication link between this world and the afterlife. It carries our thoughts and wishes from where we pray to the Pure Land where the Buddha resides. Additionally, when people gather for a memorial service, sharing the same fragrance signifies uniting their hearts with the Buddha and the deceased.

Accumulating Virtue Through Offerings to the Deceased

In Buddhism, it is believed that doing good deeds accumulates “virtue.” Offering incense is an act of “altruism.” The act of offering fragrance for the sake of the deceased or the Buddha enriches the heart of the offerer and leads to the accumulation of virtue. The time spent thinking of someone and carefully lighting the incense becomes a form of spiritual cultivation for oneself.

 “Ten Virtues of Incense”

Incense is said to have ten benefits, known as the “Ten Virtues of Incense” (Ko-Jittoku). This concept comes from a poem written by a Northern Song poet, said to have been popularized in Japan by monks like Ikkyu Sojun. The verses teach that incense sharpens the senses, purifies the body and mind, removes filth, awakens one from drowsiness, brings peace in silence, and calms the mind even during busy times. Incense has been loved by ancients not just for its smell, but as an excellent tool for mental regulation.

Mental Peace and Improved Concentration in Practice

Certain components of incense fragrances work on the brain to induce relaxation. Burning incense during Buddhist practices such as meditation, Zazen, or chanting sutras is done to calm the mind and enhance concentration. Even in modern times, burning incense before work or study can help clear distractions and create an environment where you can focus on the task at hand.