Incense, Gold Leaf and Lotus Flowers

By Kin Enriquez -

Buddhists offer gold leaf, lotus flowers and incense while visiting temples. The act of offering is called wai phra.
The lotus flower symbolizes purification, as the plant grows in muddy waters but blooms from the muck, just as humans can achieve enlightenment despite being born in a world of suffering. 

 Incense, in the form of joss sticks, are offered in threes, representing Buddha, his teachings, and the monastic order [1]. 



The wai phra performed above was done in Wat Lokayasutharam in Ayutthaya, where the 32-foot statue of the Reclining Buddha is found. 

 by Kin Enriquez

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