Why do they put incense sticks on graves, and are there Buddhist altars even though the remains are in the tomb

Middle managers

I think there are differences depending on the denomination and depending on the story, but I'll tell you what I've heard.

“Incense sticks”
Once upon a time in India, I heard that it comes from burning incense when inviting someone they respect to their home.
It seems that walking through incense feels a little cool even in hot India.
Also, it is said that flowers are displayed when they are planted in front of people walking with flower petals so that they can walk even a little coolly through the similarly hot land of India.
Also, I heard that they decorate candles by giving candles to people they respect.

I was taught that showing respect to people I respect in this way is majestic now.

“Ashes and Buddhist Altars”
This is where interpretations are more divided depending on the denomination.
As the Buddha said to flush bodies into the Ganges River, I think it wasn't common for people to be obsessed with remains.
It seems that ordinary believers who were unable to do so even when they were told that by the Buddha held the Buddha's funeral and brought back the remains.
At that time, I was taught by the Buddha that they had been strictly commanded by the Buddha to attend funerals.

It was the pagoda that held the Buddha bone that the believer brought back, and it seems that it is the prototype for today's tomb.
I learned in class that it was Mahayana Buddhism that spread to various places around that.

Also, when it comes to Buddhist altars, it is a place suitable for the Buddha in the Shinshu sect.
Also, it is a place suitable for ancestors who passed away in the Pure Land and became Buddha.
I'm not praying for bones, so I think a Buddhist altar is necessary.

I think the story and purpose are different, so I think it's best to ask my mentor, but in my story, I've heard this.
I hope you find it helpful.

〉Why do they put incense sticks on graves?
Incense is “the scent of the Buddha who cleanses me.”
Flowers = Buddha's compassionate heart, and candles = Buddha's light (work) that burns away worries.
By decorating these three types in front of my grave, I express the Buddha working against me.
There is no problem even if you don't have it, but it's rude in terms of manners.

〉The remains are in graves, so why are there Buddhist altars?
Graves are monuments to enshrine the remains, remember the deceased, and pass them on to future generations.
There is nothing wrong with not having it, but it is especially important in order to pass on the deceased to future generations.
The Buddhist altar is a monument imitating the Pure Land of Paradise, which is the world of Amitabha Buddha.
Amida Buddha is the object of worship, and Buddhist altars are the foundation for everyday life.
The Pure Land is also a world where the deceased visited, but the center of the Buddhist altar is Amida Nyorai.
It can also be said that the first step of faith begins with welcoming a Buddhist altar.
Originally, it's not someone who dies to greet them.

Understanding deepens by questioning various things.
Thank you for your valuable questions.

Ultimately, I think the best way to interpret Buddhist altars, visiting graves, and burning incense is to ask people of each denomination. However, I don't think that would be a satisfactory answer, so let me state my thoughts a little bit.

① About the relationship between Buddhist altars and graves
The meaning of a Buddhist altar seems to be interpreted differently depending on each denomination, but what is enshrined in the center of a Buddhist altar is the principal image of any denomination, and it is not a deceased person. In other words, a Buddhist altar is like a temple chancel. On the other hand, graves are places where remains are enshrined.

② About the meaning of burning incense (burning incense sticks) in front of graves
I think the interpretation of praying in front of a grave also differs depending on each denomination, but it can be said that burning incense (or burning incense) in front of a grave indicates that praying in front of a tomb is one form of praying as a Buddhist ritual.

I heard that incense has the meaning of “cleansing the body and mind.”
In the sutra called the Dharma Sutra,
“The scent of flowers doesn't travel in the wind.
They all seem to be red sandalwood, tagala flowers, and jasmine.
However, the scent of virtuous people progresses through the wind.”
As such, fragrance is said to have special power in Buddhism
I'm here.

Offering incense to graves is the scent of virtue (blessings for others and other lives)
I think it's about making an offering. There is still enough virtue in memorial services for the deceased
Welcome back to your indescribable self, and actually take matcha and incense sticks from fragrant scented trees
I wonder if offering one's own virtues means offering incense sticks
I'm wondering if there are any.

The remains are in the tomb, and the Buddhist altar is in the house. That being said,
In the Great Buddha Nirvana Sutra, which can be said to be Shakyamuni's will, Lord Tenrin, Lord Anan, in other words
I'll talk about how to dispose of Shakyamuni's own body, and there, the remains are in Stupa
It shows paying, in other words, building a tomb.
As mentioned above, graves are places where those left behind can look back at their own virtues.
As another name for graves, it is also called “kudokuju (kudokuju)” in the Zen Dictionary
It is described. Accumulating one's own merits also becomes a merit for the deceased,
I think that's what it means.

Buddhist altars are places where you can receive teachings about Buddhism itself, or welcome shamons and monks,
Assuming that making a memorial service for being idle is also about accumulating one's own virtues,
It was the Buddha room that I set up a room in my home to welcome such people,
I think it was further minimized and became a Buddhist altar.
Yo is the main hall in my home. Even if your parents' house has a Buddhist altar,
Build a simple Buddhist altar for your own home, and for your ancestors
I hope you can use it as a place to hold a memorial service. It's not compulsory (^^;)

A memorial service is a “heart of thanksgiving and reward that cannot be helped” that springs from within oneself
There was, and it was expressed as a form.
It's as if Ohisama illuminates the light without asking for anything.
Hoke-sama, my ancestors left my life to the present with the limit of their lives,
In a life where you respect what you have nurtured and repay your blessings,
If there are places to “gather virtue” called Buddhist altars and graves, I'll start with the words in the Buddhist scriptures
I can feel it.
whoa whoa whoa. We clasps.

　　There are various classification methods for how to do memorial services, but the five most popular classifications are. Five offerings are five types of offerings (incense, flowers, lanterns, food and drink) offered in front of the Buddha.

In Buddhism, incense with a good scent that enhances the benefits of Buddhism, and the smell that Buddha likes are called good incense. Nyorai in the Buddhist world and ancestors who went to “the other world” don't eat food from this world. Called savory food, they eat a good, savory smell. The Buddha eats the incense offered, responds to it, and reaches out for sentient beings. Incense is called a “messenger to the Buddha,” and I have dedicated my devotion to the Buddha through burning incense. Based on the above, we burn incense and offer our sincerity to the Buddha and our ancestors. The reason we burn incense when visiting graves is to share our sincerity by offering “food” to our ancestors and offering good incense.

As for how to understand Buddhist altars and tombstones, I think there are differences in how to explain them depending on the denomination and from person to person, even in the same denomination. I would like to express my thoughts on “Why are there Buddhist altars even though the remains are in graves.”

Graves are important too. Similarly, Buddhist altars are important. This is because they both performed an eye opening ceremony and made it similar to Buddha's. This is my answer.

Previously, I wrote the following article on my blog. Please use it as a reference.
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When asked when “Become a Thousand Winds” was popular, I answered as follows.
“From a Buddhist standpoint, tombstones are the same object of worship as pagodas and placards. When the tombstone is erected, a ceremony called eye instillation is performed. This is what is called sincerity. Similar to a plaque or Buddha statue, it is a ceremony to transfer the life of the Buddha. That's why they pray in the same way as pagodas and pagodas. Also, graves are places where the remains of the deceased are buried, and tombstones are also monuments that record the common names and commandments of the deceased. A memorial service is held to commemorate an ancestor who became a disciple of the Buddha, at a tomb. So, to put it bluntly, it means that it doesn't matter if you're not there or if you're not asleep. However, as a practical matter, when putting hands together to pray for the deceased, the first thing you think of as the destination is the tomb where the remains are buried, the second is the Buddhist altar at home, and third, it will be the family temple.
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/dorinji/14855811.html
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