Drawing from classical East Asian texts and lived experience, he considers natural materials as pharmakon, capable of harming, intoxicating, or harmonizing depending on how they are prepared and received. Incense unfolds in three movements: as medicinal nourishment, as treasure that teaches patience and discernment, and as a dao, where the act of offering becomes a way of meeting life. A brief demonstration with raw and finished materials invites participants to encounter the extraordinary diversity of fragrant substances.

Kenneth Cannata is an incense maker, perfumer, and tea practitioner based on Hawai‘i Island. A graduate of Dharma Realm Buddhist University, he holds a B.A. in Chinese Studies (2009) and a M.A. in Buddhist Classics (2018). His work integrates historical study, natural materials, and embodied practice to cultivate attention, refinement, and clarity.