For about 3 months, we have been sharing The Ten Virtues of Koh each week, one by one, on our Facebook and Instagram profiles. Today we would like to gather all of them for you to have an easy access and a good place to review them. Feel free to share all the sentences with your friends.
The Ten Virtues of Koh have been introduced to Japan by Zen master Ikkyū (一休宗純 1394–1481) in Muromachi period (1336-1573). They summarize benefits of using incense. Although they were introduced to Japan over 600 years ago, they are still valid and meaningful up to now.
1. It brings communication with the transcendent (感格鬼神)
2. It purifies mind and body (清浄心身)
3. It removes uncleanliness (能除汚穢)
4. It keeps one alert (能覚睡眠)
5. It can be a companion in the midst of solitude (静中成友)
6. In the midst of busy affairs, it brings a moment of peace (塵裡偸閑)
7. When it is plentiful, one never tires of it (多而不厭)
8. When there is little, still one is satisfied (寡而為足)
9. Age does not change its efficacy (久蔵不朽)
10. Used everyday, it does no harm (常用無障)
