Himalayan Incense Ceremony

As a gesture of appreciation to the wider Wānaka community and its natural environment, a Himalayan Incense Ceremony, will be conducted by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche and Siddhartha’s Intent New Zealand following the completion of the main meditation event (12-22 March at Wanaka Recreation Centre) on 23 March 2023. All the local suppliers we have been working with as well as interested locals from the region are invited and can feel welcome. 

The Himalayan Incense Ceremony (Riwo Sangcho) is a traditional Tibetan Buddhist practice that involves offering fragrant incense to purify negativity and cultivate auspicious conditions within oneself and the surrounding environment. During the ceremony, a carefully prepared mixture of woods, incense, and other natural substances is burned to produce aromatic incense. This incense is symbolically offered to enlightened beings, ancestral guardians of the Wānaka area, including the local Taniwha, and to all beings facing difficulties or hardship. It is also dedicated to the flourishing of enlightened values such as compassion, wisdom, and peace. The combination of the making of symbolic offerings with the cultivation of positive aspirations for the environment leads to improved mental and spiritual harmony, with ongoing benefits for the environment and all forms of life. The ceremony centres around a small fire or hot coals depending on fire restrictions in place at the time. Various natural substances are placed on the embers to produce incense. Participants can either follow the text or simply observe the ceremony.

The meditative and contemplative ceremony will take place on the top paddock at Glendhu station followed by tea/coffee and a light brunch outside the woolshed.

The health and safety team from the Wanaka Recreation Centre event, including a GP and fire warden, will be present. Any children attending should be under the care of their parents.

Details:

9.00 am - Introduction to the tradition and practice by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche 
9.30 - 11 am - Himalayan Incense Ceremony
11 am - 12 noon - Light refreshments in the form of a grazing table, finger food and limited hot beverages will be served outside the woolshed. 

Carpooling to get to the event and back is encouraged, you can sign up to this WhatsApp group and indicate if you have spare seats in your car or if you need a lift.

What to bring:

Dress suitably for the weather of the day.

• An umbrella and jacket if light drizzle (if it is very wet we will move the event indoors to the woolshed)
• Hat, sunglasses, beach umbrella and blanket (if you have handy), sunblock if weather is fine.
• Bench seating is supplied, please bring your own cushion & blanket if you prefer to sit on the ground.
  
• Download this text if you wish to follow along.
• You may wish to contribute to the occasion by bringing along the following kind of organic fragrant and medicinal substances, just bring a little, no need for a lot. 
  Juniper eg coniferous trees and shrubs like macrocarpa, native medicinal and aromatic plants such as manuka, kanuka, kawakawa, kowhai and aromatic herbs. Be careful to ensure no chemicals or pesticides are in any of the offering substances.