Qing Miao Xiang Incense Samantabhadra Pendant

1.The Story of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva

Known as the “Bodhisattvas of Devotation” among the Four Great Bodhisattvas of Buddhism, Samantabhadra represents the embodiment of practice and vows. According to the Avatamsaka Sutra, he proclaimed the famous “Ten Great Vows” to guide sentient beings toward enlightenment. His mount, the majestic six-tusked white elephant, is not merely a vehicle but a profound symbol: the white color represents a pure, unstained mind; the elephant’s steady, heavy steps symbolize an unwavering commitment to practice; and the six tusks represent the Six Perfections (Paramitas)—generosity, morality, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom. Historically, Mount Emei in China is revered as his sacred bodhimanda (seat of enlightenment).

2.”Qing miao xiang” – Clear and Subtle Incense

The “Qingmiaoxiang” (Clear and Subtle Incense) was first documented in the Song Dynasty’s “Chen’s Incense Manual”. During the mid-Northern Song Dynasty, literati gatherings flourished, with “instruments, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, tea, and incense” being central to these events. To meet the demand for an incense that was “elegantly subtle without overpowering, and ethereally inspiring for poetic moods” during these gatherings, a pioneer of literati incense culture, created the “Qingmiaoxiang.”

The ancients believed that incense should not be too strong, as it would disrupt the appreciation of music and scholarly pursuits. Therefore, Qing miao xiang uses agarwood and sandalwood as its base, accented with borneol and musk, creating a fragrance that is “clear but not bland, wonderfully elegant but not gaudy.”

The agarwood and sandalwood provide a rich, mellow woody base; the borneol adds a crisp, refreshing coolness; and the musk imparts a lively, penetrating quality to the aroma. White honey (refined honey) is used as a natural binder, along with a trace amount of natural saltpeter to brighten the scent. Its unique craftsmanship lies in the “double-boiler honey heating” method (gently heating the refined honey in a bain-marie to make the sweetness milder and avoid the cloyingness of raw honey).

After blending the incense, it must be sealed in ceramic ware for “cellaring” for one month, allowing the various aromatic properties to fully meld. When burned or worn, the incense emits a clear, moist, and ethereal fragrance with a sweet, lingering finish.

(Making Blended Incense)