關於香的二三事 Information about Incense

一般人所認識的香，都是廟裡拜拜完、插在香爐的物品。其實，這只是香在歷史發展過程中的一個面貌而已；香文化內容豐富，精神深遠，是很多人所不理解的。

Typically, people relate incense to the incense sticks that are held upright burning in the incense urn. However, this is simply one aspect of how incense is used. In terms of the culture, development, and history of incense, its abundance is beyond the understanding of most people.

從製作方式來看，香有單方和複方，後者就是所謂的「合香」。

When it comes to the manufacture of incense, incense can be produced with only one herb or synthesized with numerous herbs.

漢方合香是以中醫炮製理論及藥性五行屬性為基礎，按照香藥配伍原則，將不同香藥調和而成的香品。聞香時，香氣隨著呼吸進入體內，滋養臟腑、活絡經脈、因此香品具有防病療疾的功能，在中國已有幾千年的悠久歷史。

Synthetic incense is manufactured, based on the five medicinal herbal properties. Different incense products vary with the proportions of the herbal materials. As we inhale, the fragrance enters into our body, nourishes our organs, and activates our nadis, and thus Chinese, for thousands of years, have been believing that incense can prevent us from disorders.

一炷清香，裊裊雲煙；淡淡藥香，舒心養性。天然香氣縈繞滿室，使人放鬆心情，酣然入眠。香，為生活注入了美好元素，並因為香療的實際作用，深深為古人所著迷、鑽研、運用。

The light herbal fragrance relaxes us as it permeates into the space. Natural incense calms us down and helps us sleep safe and sound. Incense has been utilized to make our life better, so ancient people were fascinated by incense and greatly used it in their daily life.

當我們聞著香，便進入了經驗性的內在世界，靜心、冥想、自省、洞察、創化，這一切的美好發生在肉眼看不到的內心世界，無法被量化或統測。因此，香具備了很個人性的美感經驗或生命體悟。

When we appreciate the fragrance of incense, we simultaneously experience the inner peace, reflect upon ourselves, slip into a meditation state, and even create something. All can occur in our inner world, which cannot be quantified or measured. Therefore, incense, in one sense, carries an aesthetic and inspiring essence.
香氣具有四處瀰散的特性，能使聞者感受到身體、情緒、思想上的轉換與調整，品香既是身體的、也是心靈的。而香主動給出香氣，不論眼前是誰、是何種身分、地位、性別、種族或宗教，都能毫無分別，給出生命中最美的精粹。這種燃燒自己、利益群生、和諧萬物的本質與佛無二無別，因此，更加使人敬重！

As the fragrance permeates, those who smel it can experience the changes in their bodies, emotions, and even thoughts. That is to say, incense can affect our physical and spiritual conditions. Incense gives off amazing fragrance, and regardless of our social statuses, genders, races, or religious beliefs, we can all enjoy the beauty of incense. The non-discriminating property of incense reminds us of the fact that all beings are equal, and thus we can learn to be even more respectful to anything and anyone!

香，是宗教符碼；是心靈良藥；也是讓我們領悟、進而體現無分別、平等智的香道本質！
Incense, a token of religion, is also a regimen for our souls. Hence, incense guides us to realize its essence, equality and non-discrimination.