What is the significance of Oshoko (offering incense)?
Commonly called incense burning, it is a basic ritual in Mahayana Buddhism. Using the form of placing a burning stick of incense horizontally in the burner and sprinkling the ground incense (oko) over the embers. It is basically an offering to the Buddha; it also represents the burning away of one’s self created delusions and the simultaneity of birth-death. In Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) temples, one stops in front of the koro (incense burner) and sprinkles the oko over the embers; one recites the Nembutsu, performs the gassho raihai, bows again, faces and bows with hands together to Rev. Honda or the presiding minister, and leaves the area.
