Options for "Fake" Incense

[Anthony]

I very much like the idea of incorporating incense in my practice, but am wary due to the possible health effects of the smoke, as well as the fact that I live in an apartment and do not want to trigger the smoke alarm, nor get in trouble for using smoke indoors.

Are there any options for "fake" incense that might not have these problems? I often use these electric air freshener things that I plug into the wall and release some nice fragrance into the air. Does such a thing exist for replicating incense?

gassho,
Anthony
satlah

[Bion]

Hi, Anthony! You can try smokeless incense. Here's a couple of options:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Les-Encens-du-Monde-Smokeless/dp/B000KDVNDA
https://nipponkodostore.com/collections/smokeless-less-smoke-incense-sticks?srsltid=AfmBOooar62ySPb5FBM7RLwr0EnwGuPSTlA Y_UH9UKCJ5x6ktxchQiMp

I'm sure those would work fine in an apartment.

Gassho
sat lah

[Anthony]

Hi, Anthony! You can try smokeless incense. Here's a couple of options:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Les-Encens-du-Monde-Smokeless/dp/B000KDVNDA
https://nipponkodostore.com/collections/smokeless-less-smoke-incense-sticks?srsltid=AfmBOooar62ySPb5FBM7RLwr0EnwGuPSTlA Y_UH9UKCJ5x6ktxchQiMp

I'm sure those would work fine in an apartment.

Gassho
sat lah

Whoa! I didn't know about this! Thanks so much Bion!

gassho, Anthony satlah

[Bion]

Whoa! I didn't know about this! Thanks so much Bion!

gassho, Anthony satlah

My pleasure!

Gassho
sat lah

[Tokan]

Hi Anthony

I am not 'allowed' to use incense in my house, my partner cannot tolerate the smell, even when unlit! I therefore have to either pretend I have incense in my hands or use a pencil as a notional incense stick. I prefer the smokey-smelly version, but I can only push the boss so far lol

Gassho, Tokan

satlah

[Jundo]

Incense is not necessary to Zen or Buddhist practice, of course, but it is just a nice olfactory stimulation ... something like flowers and a Buddha statue can be a reminder to the eye, chanting to the ear.

However, with worries about secondary smoke and other concerns, it is not strictly necessary.

Sometimes, if someone is sensitive, I place a stick but do not light it. Sometimes, I light it for a moment, then place the burning end into the sand.

Japan also has totally modern LED incense burners, some (not most) complete with little "scent" cartridges. I think that is silly.

517eVcuWgIL._AC_SX679_.jpg

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Electronic-Incense-Flameless-Electric-Convenient/dp/B0CSJYMGMV

Gassho, J
stlah

[Chikyou]

I use Japanese incense exclusively - it doesn’t have the wooden stick common in western incense and is much more tolerable. (High quality brands also lack the harsh artificial scents common in popular western incense which are so utterly obnoxious).

I’ve seen incense heaters intended for high quality wood chip incense, that heat it but don’t burn it.

Gassho,
SatLah
Chikyō

[Shinshi]

Just in case it is useful for someone. I am very allergic to most incense. The only thing I can use is incense that is actually made from wood - in the same stick format as other incense. For some reason I can tolerate them. But I always light it and then put it out right away in the sand. That is enough for me.

I remember that Minnesota was doing away with incense in the 1980s when I was there, because of allergies - but I have no idea what they do now.

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

[Anthony]

Thanks for the great responses everyone. After doing some research, I think I will look for a good electric burner (it seems there's one called the "Golden Lotus" that's pretty popular online) and use some of the low-smoke incense as recommended by Bion. I'll let you know how it goes when I get a burner (probably in a month or two )

Incense is not necessary to Zen or Buddhist practice, of course, but it is just a nice olfactory stimulation ... something like flowers and a Buddha statue can be a reminder to the eye, chanting to the ear.

However, with worries about secondary smoke and other concerns, it is not strictly necessary.

Sometimes, if someone is sensitive, I place a stick but do not light it. Sometimes, I light it for a moment, then place the burning end into the sand.

Japan also has totally modern LED incense burners, some (not most) complete with little "scent" cartridges. I think that is silly.

517eVcuWgIL._AC_SX679_.jpg

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Electronic-Incense-Flameless-Electric-Convenient/dp/B0CSJYMGMV

Gassho, J
stlah

These are a bit silly but they seem kinda fun!

I think the value of incense and chanting and other sense experiences is in setting the stage for your mind. Of course you can do zazen anywhere, and there is no such thing as bad zazen, but I imagine that with some ritual and habit, one can prime their mind to get their butts onto the cushion.

Gassho,
Anthony
satlah

[Ryumon]

You could just use a twig and pretend that it's incense. (I can't use incense because of asthma.)

Gassho,

Ryūmon (Kirk)

Sat Lah