Formal — to stranger
Cultural · Religion
お焼香は、抹香を額の高さまで持ち上げてから、香炉に落とすのが作法です。 — When offering incense, lift the powder to forehead height before letting it fall into the censer. (Cultural · Religion, Formal — to stranger, JLPT N3)
You
お焼香は、抹香を額の高さまで持ち上げてから、香炉に落とすのが作法です。
おしょうこうは、まっこうをひたいのたかさまでもちあげてから、こうろにおとすのがさほうです。
When offering incense, lift the powder to forehead height before letting it fall into the censer.
Romaji: Oshoukou wa, makkou wo hitai no takasa made mochiagete kara, kouro ni otosu no ga sahou desu. / Reply Romaji: Shuuha ni yotte kaisuu ga chigaun desu yo ne.
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宗派によって回数が違うんですよね。
しゅうはによってかいすうがちがうんですよね。
The number of times differs by sect, doesn't it.
Gesture & etiquette
Approach the incense altar after the bereaved. Bow to family first (15°), then to the photo of the deceased (30°). Take a small pinch with thumb-index-middle of right hand, lift to forehead (left hand supports the elbow), let fall into the censer. Repeat 1-3 times per sect. Palms together briefly. Bow to photo, then family, return to seat.
焼香 (shoukou, incense offering) protocol at funerals/memorials. Number of offerings varies by Buddhist sect: 浄土宗 1 time, 浄土真宗本願寺派 1 time, 真言宗 3 times, 曹洞宗 2 times, 天台宗 3 times. When unsure, do once — never wrong. Always bow to bereaved family first AND last. Wear black, no perfumes, no jewelry beyond plain pearls.