Spread a Little Joy: Grace and Gratitude through the Scents of Incense

Hong Kong, a place that was once renowned for its Incense Tree and named after it, has always been closely linked to incense. More than a century ago, Hong Kong was an important port in Asia for trading incense. With a thriving local industry that produced incense powder and incense, fragrant wood was ground into powder, which was crafted into incense sticks. The making of incense was a traditional craft that formed the basis of Hong Kong incense culture.

As time went by, this age-old tradition gradually faded into memory, yet some are keen to revive it. A case in point is Eric Wong Tsz-chung, founder of Metta Incense HK.

The young man’s incense-making journey was inspired by his daily observations and the ‘warmth’ he felt in everyday life. “I have friends who practice Buddhism or meditation, and the incense sticks they can use are of the machine-produced type and even containing chemical additives. At one point, I pondered: ‘Is it possible to create natural incense sticks that belongs to the people of Hong Kong, making the scent warmer and less reminiscent of the cold, mechanical ‘smell’ of assembly lines?”

When creating Metta Incense HK’s flagship product, Eric insisted on using only natural ingredients. He opted for sandalwood from Tonga as the main component, believing that its subtle scent and healing effects are perfect for urbanites to relax their bodies and minds. Another ingredient was cypress wood, which adds to the depth and calming effects of the smell of the incense sticks. Eric believes incense-making is a craft as well as a philosophy of life. “Nice scents are not only a feast for the nose, but they are also soothing and can connect people,” he adds.

To give more people the opportunity to experience the tranquillity brought by incense making, Hysan invited Eric to host an incense workshop as part of their signature “Urban Talks” series. Participants made their own incense cones while learning about the beautiful stories related to the incense culture. The workshop was also a healing journey for everyone to have an inner dialogue with themselves.

As Eric invited each participant to recall a time they received help and share their feelings. Perhaps the pace of urban life is too fast and negative emotions can easily take over, some participants initially didn’t know where to start. However, as everyone opened their hearts, some recalled the support from friends during their past low moments, and even shed tears. The kindness of others handing over tissues transformed into a gentle flow in the atmosphere. These good memories and gratitude infused a deeper meaning into the workshop.

The process of making incense may seem simple: mixing wood powder with water, kneading it into a ball, and shaping it into a cone incense form. But the precise control and the strength used in kneading tested one’s delicate patience. Participants used their creativity to make in various styles, with some even shaping it into flowers to share with their companions, creating a warm and fun atmosphere.

Incense-making was the focus of the workshop, but the scents of incense reflected a deeper meaning. For the participants, it was a journey of rediscovering the warmth of life; for the Lee Gardens Area, it was about paving a path that connects emotions through culture and warms the community with stories.

Lee Gardens Area is committed to hosting creative events for people to attain a sense of peace and joy from within. Lee Gardens Area will continue its cultural journey to deliver ever more delightful surprises, hoping that every resident and visitor can create more memories in the Area.

Stay tuned to Lee Gardens Area’s events. Join us to discover the beauty and endless possibilities in life.