Ben Carter
In Buddhism, candles are often lit during meditation and placed on altars as a mark of respect. The act of lighting a candle can help one enter a meditative state, with the candle flame representing the light of the teachings and the state of enlightenment. However, some believe that blowing out a candle is disrespectful and that candles should be allowed to burn out on their own. This belief is not limited to Buddhism, as neo-pagans and some Jews also believe that blowing out a candle is disrespectful to the element of fire or that it represents the soul.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What candles represent in Buddhism | The light of the teachings, enlightenment, and the inner light |
| How to put out a candle | Allow it to burn out on its own, use a snuffer, a wick dipper, or a lid |
| Blowing out a candle | Some believe it is disrespectful, while others believe it glorifies the act of blowing out a candle |
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What You'll Learn
- The candle flame symbolises the inner light and the path to Nirvana
- Blowing out candles is considered disrespectful in some neo-pagan traditions
- Lama Dawa Chodrak does not allow lighting incense from an offered candle
- The act of lighting a candle can help anchor one in a meditative state
- The candle clock marked time with a chime as the candle burned down
The candle flame symbolises the inner light and the path to Nirvana
The candle is a powerful symbol in Buddhism. It is believed that the flame of a candle represents the light of the teachings and is symbolic of the state of Enlightenment. The candle flame symbolises the inner light and the path to Nirvana.
In Buddhism, the candle flame is seen as a representation of the human spirit and the divine. It symbolises illumination, guidance, and the eternal light within us. The gentle glow of a candle can transform a chaotic space into a serene sanctuary, setting the stage for meditation, prayer, or reflection. This ambiance is crucial for spiritual practices, helping to focus the mind and invite a sense of peace and presence. The act of lighting a candle can also function as an anchor to help one more readily enter a meditative or contemplative state.
The candle flame symbolises the inner light, reminding us of our fundamental reality and our shared destiny: Nirvana. It is said that Enlightenment is not represented by blowing out a candle but by the candle being extinguished because daylight has come. This idea of daylight or the sun rising within is a powerful one in Buddhism, where the path to Nirvana is often described as a journey towards an inner light.
The candle flame also represents the impermanence of form. In this way, candles are a bridge between both realities—they are of the physical realm, yet also connected to the infinite, ever-renewing compassion from which all forms arise. This duality of existence is a key concept in Buddhism, where the goal is to transcend the ego and embrace the wholeness of the inner experience.
In Buddhist practice, it is considered best to allow candles to burn out on their own rather than blowing them out. This is because the candle and its light are seen as offerings, and once lit, they are no longer yours to do with as you please. There are several ways to safely let a candle burn out, such as placing it on a glass or metal coaster or in a shallow pan of water.
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Blowing out candles is considered disrespectful in some neo-pagan traditions
In Buddhism, the candle flame symbolises the inner light and represents the light of the teachings. It is also symbolic of the state of enlightenment. In contrast, in neo-pagan traditions, the act of blowing out a candle is considered disrespectful to the flame. This belief stems from the idea that blowing out a candle signifies the conclusion of a spell or ritual. Some neo-pagans believe that blowing out a candle "blows the energy/spirit/etc. away", while others snuff out the flame with milk or a candle extinguisher to signify "save for later".
The practice of blowing out candles when making a wish is considered a relatively modern tradition. Despite this, many people believe that blowing out all the flames with a single breath is a challenge that must be accomplished for their wish to come true. This belief has led to the creation of joke candles that cannot be blown out, thwarting the efforts of those who wish to test their lung capacity in exchange for a granted wish.
In some neo-pagan traditions, it is considered disrespectful to blow out candles on a deity altar. This belief stems from the idea that the candle represents an offering to the deity, and by blowing it out, one is disrespecting the deity. However, others argue that it is more disrespectful to leave the candles burning, as they could burn down the house, leaving the deity with one less devotee.
Some neo-pagans believe that the act of blowing out a candle is an affront to fire, which is considered sacred in their tradition. This belief stems from the idea that fire is a symbol of the hearth and the fire within the pagan family, village, and people. As such, they choose to snuff or pinch out the flame instead of blowing it out.
While there are varying beliefs and practices among neo-pagans regarding the act of blowing out candles, it is essential to respect the traditions and beliefs of those who consider it disrespectful. It is always best to err on the side of caution and choose alternative methods of extinguishing candles when in doubt.
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Lama Dawa Chodrak does not allow lighting incense from an offered candle
In Buddhism, candles are a traditional element of several rituals. They are often placed on altars along with flowers, incense, food, drink, and other spiritual imagery. The lit candle flame represents the light of the teachings and is symbolic of the state of Enlightenment. However, the flame can also represent the impermanence of form.
The act of lighting a candle during meditation can help one enter a meditative or contemplative state more easily. The candle flame symbolizes the inner light and serves as a reminder of our fundamental reality and destiny: Nirvana. It is important to note that the state of Enlightenment is not represented by blowing out a candle but by the idea that the candle can be extinguished because the sun has risen and daylight has come.
While some sources indicate that it is permissible to extinguish candles and incense for safety reasons, Lama Dawa Chodrak's teachings emphasize the importance of allowing offered candles to burn out completely on their own. This practice ensures that the candle is respected as an offering and aligns with the belief that the light of the candle is always new and can be offered repeatedly, even if the physical candle remains the same.
In summary, Lama Dawa Chodrak's instruction not to light incense from an offered candle stems from the belief that once offered, the candle is no longer the property of the individual. Instead, it is respected as a sacred object to be allowed to burn out naturally or safely contained until it extinguishes itself. This practice aligns with the symbolic nature of candles in Buddhism and the belief in offering the light rather than the physical candle itself.
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The act of lighting a candle can help anchor one in a meditative state
Candle meditation, also known as trataka, is a practice that uses the soft glow of a candle to help one focus and relax. The process involves gazing at the flickering flame and observing its movements without judgment, allowing the brain to focus on something calming. This practice can help one enter a state of mindfulness, letting go of stressful thoughts and distractions.
To begin candle meditation, it is important to find a quiet, comfortable, and dimly lit space, free from interruptions. One should then sit comfortably, with the spine straight but relaxed, and place a stable candle at eye level, about two feet away, to avoid any strain on the neck or eyes.
The next step is to light the candle and focus one's gaze on the flame, allowing the image to occupy the mind. Initially, one's mind may wander, and eyes may water, but with practice, most people become comfortable with this type of open-eye meditation. It is beneficial to breathe slowly and deeply, letting any thoughts or distractions come and go without judgment.
Candle meditation can offer several mental and physical benefits, including improved focus and concentration, emotional balance, and reduced mental distractions. It is linked to the Ajna chakra, or third eye chakra, and is believed to help people see beyond the material world, fostering spirituality, perception, intuition, and connectedness.
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The candle clock marked time with a chime as the candle burned down
In Buddhism, candles are a traditional element of several rituals. They are often placed on altars alongside flowers, incense, food, drink, and other spiritual imagery. The candle flame symbolises the inner light and represents the light of the teachings, serving as a reminder of our fundamental reality and the destiny of each individual: Nirvana.
The candle clock, an ancient invention, was once used to indicate the passage of time through the burning of a candle with consistently spaced markings. One such candle clock was described by Al-Jazari in 1206, which included a dial to display the time and a fastening mechanism. As the candle burned, wax collected in an indentation and was periodically removed to ensure steady burning. The candle rested in a shallow dish with a ring on its side, connected to a counterweight through pulleys. As the candle burned away, the weight pushed it upward at a constant speed, causing the chime to sound at regular intervals.
The candle clock provided an effective way to tell time indoors, at night, or on cloudy days. The earliest reference to its use is found in a Chinese poem by You Jiangu, dating back to AD 520. You Jiangu's candle clock consisted of six candles, each 12 inches high and divided into 12 sections, with each candle burning away in four hours.
While candle clocks are no longer used today, their historical significance is notable, particularly in the context of Buddhism. In Buddhist practice, it is considered best to allow candles to burn out completely on their own rather than blowing them out. This is because the act of blowing out a candle is not representative of enlightenment; instead, it is the idea that the candle can be extinguished because the sun has arisen and daylight has come. To ensure the candle burns out safely, it can be placed on top of glass, in a shallow pan of water, or in a designated "butter lamp house" often found outside temples and monasteries.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles are a traditional element of Buddhist rituals. The candle flame symbolizes the inner light and the state of enlightenment. It serves as a reminder of our fundamental reality and destiny: Nirvana.
There is no specific way to blow out a candle in Buddhism. However, it is considered disrespectful to overpower the element of fire with the breath or life force. Therefore, it is recommended to use a snuffer, wick dipper, or lid to extinguish the flame.
No, once a candle has been offered, it is no longer yours. It is best to allow it to burn out completely on its own. If you cannot do this safely, offer something else, such as flowers, incense, or fruit.
