Brooke Martin
In Buddhism, candles are a traditional element of rituals and are often placed on altars or near statues and shrines as a mark of respect. The candle flame represents the light of the teachings and is symbolic of the state of Enlightenment. It is believed that the longer a candle burns, the more auspicious it is for longevity. However, some believe that overpowering the flame with one's breath is disrespectful to the element of fire. Instead, candles should be snuffed or pinched out.
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What You'll Learn
- The candle flame symbolises the inner light
- Candles are placed on altars with flowers, incense, food, and drink
- Blowing out a candle is seen as dispersing its heat and light throughout the universe
- In neo-pagan traditions, candles should be snuffed or pinched out, not blown out
- Lama Dawa Chodrak does not allow lighting incense from a candle that has already been offered
The candle flame symbolises the inner light
For thousands of years, candles have been used in spiritual practices. In Buddhism, the candle flame symbolises the inner light. It is a reminder of our fundamental reality and our shared destiny: Nirvana.
The candle flame is a powerful symbol of the light of the spirit, guiding us through moments of reflection, intention setting, and deep connection to our inner selves. The warm, soothing light of a candle promotes mindfulness, helping us enter a state of deep relaxation.
The act of lighting a candle can signal to our subconscious mind that it is time to pause, breathe, and connect with our inner world. Gazing at the flame can help quiet the mind and guide us into a meditative state. The scent of the candle can enhance our connection to our intentions, and the flame itself acts as a beacon, helping to channel our desires into the universe.
The candle flame also represents the impermanence of form. It is a bridge between the realm of form and the infinite, ever-renewing compassion from which all forms arise. The open flame is an avenue for communication with other realms of existence, making it useful for carrying prayers, transmitting chants, and asking questions.
The candle flame's movement, strength, and quickness or slowness of the burn can all be interpreted as signs. For example, a high, steady flame may indicate confidence, while a small, low flame could signify a lack of energy. A jumping flame is a sign of hesitation, and a flickering flame could be a message from a spirit.
Thus, the candle flame serves as a powerful symbol of our inner light, guiding us on our spiritual journeys and helping us connect with our deepest intentions.
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Candles are placed on altars with flowers, incense, food, and drink
In Buddhism, candles are symbolic of the state of enlightenment and the light of the teachings. They are often placed on altars with flowers, incense, food, and drink as a mark of respect. The candle flame can also represent the inner light and the impermanence of form.
A proper Buddhist altar holds symbols of enlightened body, speech, and mind, and is traditionally represented by displaying a statue or photo of Buddha Shakyamuni, a scripture, and a stupa. The altar should be in a clean and respectful place, higher than the level of the head as one sits facing it. If it is in the bedroom, it should be placed near the head of the bed, never at the foot, and it should be higher than the bed.
The lower shelf of the altar is where the flower vase, incense holder, and candle holder are placed. Offerings of tea and water are placed in the centre of the middle shelf, with food placed to the right of it. In the case of two containers of tea or water, the food is placed between them. Sweets and fruit are arranged in piles on trays with high bases and placed to the left and right of the containers.
The altar is blessed by dipping a piece of kusha grass or a tree twig into the water, reciting "Om Ah Hum" three times, and then sprinkling the offerings with water. At the end of the day, before or at sunset, the bowls are emptied and dried with a clean cloth, then stacked upside down and put away. The water is offered to the plants in the house or garden, and the food and flowers are put outside for birds and animals.
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Blowing out a candle is seen as dispersing its heat and light throughout the universe
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 flame of a candle symbolizes the inner light and serves as a reminder of our fundamental reality and destiny: Nirvana. It also represents the light of the teachings and the state of enlightenment.
When you blow out a candle, you are blowing away the flame from its fuel source. The heat of the flame melts the wax near the wick, which is then drawn up the wick and vaporized. The vaporized molecules react with oxygen from the air to create heat, light, water vapour, and carbon dioxide. As the candle burns, the carbon dioxide and water vapour it produces cool and mix into the air in the room, eventually dispersing into the atmosphere. Over time, atoms from the candle will spread around the globe, and people will breathe in carbon atoms from the wax and oxygen atoms from the air.
Therefore, blowing out a candle can be seen as dispersing its heat and light throughout the universe. However, in Buddhism, it is considered best to allow candles to burn out completely on their own rather than blowing them out. There are several ways to do this safely, such as putting the candle on top of glass or in a shallow pan of water. If this cannot be done safely, it is recommended to offer something else, such as water, flowers, incense, or food.
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In neo-pagan traditions, candles should be snuffed or pinched out, not blown out
In neo-pagan traditions, candles are considered to be more than just a source of light. They are often imbued with spiritual significance and are used in various rituals and ceremonies. As such, there are specific beliefs and practices surrounding the proper way to extinguish a candle.
One commonly held belief among neo-pagans is that candles should never be blown out. Instead, they should be snuffed or pinched out. This belief stems from the idea that overpowering the flame with one's breath is disrespectful to the element of Fire. Blowing out a candle is thought to symbolise the conclusion of a spell or ritual, while snuffing it out allows the energy or spirit of the candle to be preserved for later use. Additionally, in some pagan traditions, the breath is considered impure, and using it to extinguish a candle is seen as desecrating the ritual with one's mortal breath.
Some pagans also believe that blowing out a candle is akin to blowing out a soul or extinguishing the inner light that the candle represents. This belief is shared by some Jews, who hold that blowing out a candle flame represents the soul and should not be done except on very specific occasions. For pagans, the act of snuffing or pinching out a candle is seen as a more respectful way to honour the deity or energy associated with the candle.
However, not all pagans adhere strictly to the practice of snuffing or pinching out candles. Some may blow out their altar candles, especially if the ritual or spell is concluded. Others may use a candle snuffer or clap the candles out. Ultimately, many pagans believe that personal practice varies from person to person, and one should do what feels best for them.
While there is no single, definitive answer to the "proper" way to extinguish a candle in neo-pagan traditions, the prevailing sentiment is to treat the candle and its flame with respect and intention. Whether snuffing, pinching, or blowing, the act of extinguishing a candle can be accompanied by a word of thanks or a blessing, honouring the deity or energy associated with the candle.
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Lama Dawa Chodrak does not allow lighting incense from a candle that has already been offered
Lama Dawa Chodrak does not permit lighting incense with a candle that has already been offered because the candle is no longer considered yours to use. This is a Tibetan convention, and it is best to let the candle burn out completely on its own. If this cannot be done safely, it is recommended to offer something else, such as water, flowers, fruit, cakes, cookies, incense, perfume, jewels, jewellery, money, gold, or silver.
In Buddhism, candles are often used in spiritual practices and rituals. The lit candle flame represents the light of the teachings and symbolises Enlightenment and the inner light. It serves as a reminder of our fundamental reality and destiny: Nirvana. The flame can also represent the impermanence of form and act as a bridge between the realm of form and infinite, ever-renewing compassion.
The act of lighting candles near statues and shrines is considered a mark of respect. They are also used during meditation and can be offered alongside flowers, incense, food, and drink. However, some Buddhists express concern about the potential waste and cost of constantly lighting new candles. Electric tea lights have been suggested as a more sustainable and safe alternative.
While some Buddhists may have different personal practices regarding candle usage, the underlying principles of the Buddhist teachings remain the same. The candle metaphor is often used to illustrate the concept of hell and the transient nature of the self. The act of blowing out a candle is not representative of Enlightenment but rather the idea that the candle can be extinguished because the light of awareness has been kindled within.
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Frequently asked questions
The candle flame symbolizes the inner light and represents the light of the teachings. It is symbolic of the state of enlightenment.
Some neo-pagans believe that overpowering the flame with one's breath is disrespectful to the element of fire. However, there is no specific prohibition in Buddhism against blowing out a candle.
Alternative ways to extinguish a candle include using a snuffer, a wick dipper, or a lid.
Blowing out a candle can symbolize Nirvana, or enlightenment, in Buddhism. This is because the candle can be extinguished once the sun has arisen and daylight has come.
