Open Training
Big Eight Series: Blessing the Incense 祝香咒
Thursday, July 11, 2024, 4 - 6pm CT
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Daoist training
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Level: Entry
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Video time: 2 hours
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Audio: Almost 2 hours on 4 tracts
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Access: 90 days
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Handouts: 2
Course overview
Blessing the Incense祝香咒 (zhù xiāng zhòu), is the sixth of the Big Eight Morning Prayers 八大神咒.
Blessing the Incense holds a sacred place in Daoist tradition, serving as a powerful invocation for consecrating sacred spaces, honoring deities, and invoking blessings.
Through the burning of incense and the recitation of this prayer, practitioners create a sacred atmosphere conducive to spiritual practice and communion with the divine.
Blessing the Incense holds a sacred place in Daoist tradition, serving as a powerful invocation for consecrating sacred spaces, honoring deities, and invoking blessings.
Through the burning of incense and the recitation of this prayer, practitioners create a sacred atmosphere conducive to spiritual practice and communion with the divine.
Details
At its essence, Blessing the Incense 祝香咒 (zhù xiāng zhòu) is a sacred invocation of blessings (祝 zhù) through the medium of incense (香 xiāng), symbolizing the offering of fragrant smoke as a gesture of reverence and devotion. In Daoist practice, incense is regarded as a potent symbol of purification, transformation, and spiritual ascent. As the fragrant smoke ascends towards the heavens, it carries the prayers and aspirations of the practitioner, serving as a bridge between the earthly realm and the celestial realms.
The prayer begins with the invocation of blessings (祝 zhù), representing the sincere invocation of divine grace, protection, and guidance. Through the recitation of this prayer, practitioners express their heartfelt wishes for the well-being and prosperity of all beings, invoking the benevolent energies of the universe to shower blessings upon the world.
Simultaneously, the prayer calls upon the power of incense (香 xiāng), acknowledging its sacred role as a conduit for spiritual transformation and communion with the divine. In Daoist symbolism, incense represents the ascending of the spirit towards the heavens, symbolizing the journey of the soul towards enlightenment and liberation. By invoking the power of incense, practitioners create a sacred space where they can commune with the divine, offering their prayers and aspirations with sincerity and reverence.
As the prayer unfolds, it invokes the presence of divine beings and celestial forces, inviting their blessings and protection upon the practitioner and their surroundings. In Daoist cosmology, the universe is populated by a myriad of deities, immortals, and celestial beings, each embodying different aspects of the Dao. By invoking these divine beings, practitioners establish a connection with the celestial realms, aligning themselves with the benevolent energies that govern the cosmos.
Moreover, the Blessing the Incense serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things, highlighting the sacredness of every moment and every action. As practitioners recite the prayer and offer incense, they cultivate a sense of reverence and gratitude for the blessings of life, recognizing the beauty and wonder that surrounds them.
In conclusion, the Blessing the Incense stands as a timeless testament to the transformative power of ritual and devotion in the Daoist tradition. Through its invocation of blessings and the offering of incense, practitioners create a sacred space where they can commune with the divine, receiving blessings and guidance on their spiritual journey. As they engage in this sacred practice, they embody the timeless wisdom of the sages, cultivating a deeper connection with the divine and the natural world.
Advanced Daoist practitioners may use this prayer in combination with various rituals, meditation techniques, and invocations designed to connect with the energy of Heaven and Earth.
With this prayer, I find myself in such a peaceful place, My heart is filled and I am speechless.
Rebecca
What's included?
Lecture - 2 hours
Beyond the literal translation lie deeper meanings. This lecture offers line by line translations which seek to convey the richness within the scriptures.
Recitation Practice - 20 and 60 minute Moderate Pace
These are 20 and 60 minute recitation practices at a moderate pace. As you become familiar with the prayer, this will guide you towards deeper levels of awareness.
Pronunciation - Audio
This recording provides a single slow repetition of the prayer to ensure clarity of tones for the characters.
Written Prayer
Complete with Chinese characters, pinyin, a literal translation, and a Master Teacher’s interpretation of the prayer.
Recitation Practice - 20 minute Slow Pace
This slow paced, 20 minute recitation practice helps those new to the prayer to embrace the energy.
Access
You will have a full 90 days to explore and embody this beautiful practice.
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