Three prevalent themes of Buddhist worship throughout the world are the use of incense, candles and flowers during religious ceremonies. Whenever a joss stick is burned during worship, the monks and Buddhist followers gain a feeling of respect in their minds. Joss sticks  are also  regarded as a symbol of paying homage to Lord
 
Buddha. 3 joss sticks must be presented each time, each with its own symbolism. The first stands for Lord Buddha's wisdom, the second for his purity, and the third for his kindness. After chanting and making their wishes, worshippers bend low to plant 3 joss sticks in a clay container or ceramic vase containing sand or dry clay. This vase must be located in the centre at a level lower than the Buddha image.
 
 

                  Along with the incense joss sticks, candles are also of vital importance in Buddhist religious ceremonies. Beeswax or tallow is the source of raw wax, which, along with embedded wicks, is used for candle production. The candles are regarded as not only the source of domestic light but also of Dharma or Buddhist doctrine. In Thailand it’s the duty of Buddhist followers to present a giant candle as a worship offering to their community temple before the start of the three-month Buddhist lent, called Khao Pansa. This giant candle must be alight 24 hours a day throughout the whole lent season. Smaller candles would also be offered for domestic use inside the monks' residence. A ceremonial parade would proceed from a selected place of significance to the community's temple. Apart from the giant lent candles mentioned above, a pair of candles of average size are always used in Buddhist ceremonies, as well as for daily private worship at home. The two candles are lit and placed on the candlesticks  or  holders  at  the  front right  and front-left  sides of  the Buddha
 
image. These candles are often beautifully decorated with Buddhist images that enhance their significance.

                  The most common flower seen in Buddhist shrines, or on the base of statues, are lotuses, as they represent the potential or actuality of Enlightenment. The lotus grows out of the mud and blossoms above the water’s surface, yet it’s not dirtied by the mud from which it grows. The Buddha is likened to the lotus flower, as like a lotus that rises out of a muddy pond, the Buddha rose above the defilements and sufferings of life. We are right now surrounded by defilements and sufferings, just as the lotus seed is surrounded by dirt, mud and filth. We should rise above our defilements and sufferings, just like the lotus flower arising above the muddy water. This serves to remind us of our own potential Buddha hood. We may have defilements today, but we all have the potential of growing out of defilements and achieving wisdom like the Buddha.