Buddhist beads are a portable tool used by Buddhists to recite numbers. Due to their widespread use among monks and laypeople, understanding the origin and significance of Buddhist beads will lead to respect for them, so this article is written for your enjoyment. reader.
1. The legacy of ancient seals - the origin of Buddhist beads
Buddha beads, originally called rosary beads, refer to a certain number of beads with threads pierced through them. They are used when chanting Buddha or chanting mantras. A portable tool for counting. Its original Sanskrit language includes four meanings:
(1) pa^saka-ma^la^, transliterated as "Bosaimo", and free translation as "Shu Zhu".
(2) aks! a-ma^la^, transliterated as "Achamoluo", free translation as "beads".
(3) japa-ma^la^, transliterated as "Japa Moluo", free translation as "chanting garland".
(4) aks!a-su^tra, transliterated as "Akshutra", free translation as "Pearl of the Thread".
The Sanskrit ma^la^ means "garland". Generally speaking, the origin of Buddhist beads is due to the ancient Indian custom of wearing tassels and garlands, which was followed to later generations and gradually evolved into Buddhist beads.
In Buddhist classics, the origin of Buddhist beads is generally based on the Buddha's instructions to King Boliu recorded in the "Mumu Sutra". The Sutra says:
The Buddha told the king: If you want to eliminate the obstacles of afflictions and retribution, you should penetrate a wooden tree one hundred and eighty and keep it with you; whether you are walking, sitting, or lying down, you should always do it. With a sincere mind and no distractions, the name of the Buddha, Bodhidharma, and Sangha can be called more than one wooden tree. In this way, the wooden tree can be called ten, twenty, hundreds, thousands, or even hundreds of thousands. If you can complete two hundred thousand times, your body and mind will not be chaotic, and there will be no flattery, you will be able to give up your life and be reborn in the third flame heaven, with natural food and clothing, and always live in peace and happiness. If you can complete it one million times again, you should be able to eliminate one hundred and eight karma, which will be called carrying the stream of life and death, wandering into the mud, forever cutting off the root of troubles, and obtaining the supreme fruit. ...The king was overjoyed and saluted the Buddha from afar, saying: Great goodness! I shall abide by it. That is to say, he ordered the officials and private people to run a wooden hut, thinking that there were thousands of them, and all the six relatives and relatives were given one. The king often recited it, even though he was close to the army, he would not waste it. [1]
It can be seen from this that after hearing the Buddha's teachings, King Boliang began to use wooden logs to make Buddhist beads and chant the names of the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha to eliminate worries, obstacles and Report obstacles. This should be the original origin of Buddhist beads.
It should be pointed out that although Buddhist beads have become an important symbol of Buddhists, if we trace their origins, Buddhist beads were not created by Buddhism. For example, the Vishnu sect of Brahmanism in ancient India has records of holding beads very early. There are examples of this in unearthed cultural relics. For example, in the second century AD "Dragon King Converts to Buddha" statue unearthed in India, there is a Brahmin statue with beads hanging around his neck.
In our country, people know the term "Buddha beads" from the translation of the "Muchaozi Sutra" in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420). Unfortunately, the name of the translator has been lost. But we have reason to believe that during the Jin and Jin Dynasties, many foreign monks came to China, and some of these foreign ascetics must be carrying Buddhist beads.
As late as the Tang Dynasty, under the background of the great rise of Buddhism, classics recording Buddhist beads were widely translated, including the "Dharani Collection" translated by Tianzhu monk Adi Quduo, and the "Dharani Collection Sutra" translated by Bao Siwei. There are many classics such as "The Merit Sutra of Measuring Beads", "Vajra Yoga Rosary Sutra" translated by Tripitaka Buddha, and "The Merits Sutra of Measuring Beads in the Mantra Collection of Manjusri" translated by Tripitaka Yijing.
At this point, Buddhist beads began to be widely circulated among the government and the public, as well as among monks and laity. For example, "Old Tang Book·Li Fu Guo Biography" records:
Fu Guo does not tolerate meat and blood, and often eats it. The monk is walking, looking at things in his spare time, holding a rosary, and everyone believes in it and thinks it is good. [2]
"The Continuation of the Biography of the Eminent Monk: Dao Chuo Biography" contains:
Everyone pinches beads and chants the Buddha's name, and every time they disperse, the sound of the Meiling Valley is heard. [3]
Judging from the existing objects, there is a clay statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva from the Sixteen Kingdoms period (304-439) preserved in the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Gansu Province. Statue of Buddhist beads. In addition, there is a book "Buddha Statue Illustration" preserved in Japan, in which there are many portraits of eminent monks from the Tang Dynasty using Buddhist beads. It can be safely said that after the Tang Dynasty, the use of Buddhist beads has become quite common among Chinese people.
2. Many names - types of Buddhist beads
There are many types of Buddhist beads. In terms of their use, they can usually be divided into three types:
1. Holding beads - Buddhist beads that are pinched or chanted with hands;
2. Wearing beads - beads worn on the wrist or arm;
3. Hanging beads ——The prayer beads hanging around the neck.
Holding beads are often used to record the number of chanting Buddha's names or mantras. It is said in the sutra:
If a good man or a good woman is able to recite the dharani and the name of the Buddha, for the sake of self-interest and protection of others... If you wish to be born in the pure land of the Buddha, This bead should be accepted and held in accordance with the law. [4]
This shows that holding Buddhist beads is to restrain the body and mind, help practice, and eliminate delusions. Over time, if the skills are deepened, you will be able to increase your wisdom, benefit yourself and protect others, and at the same time gain immeasurable merit. .
Pendant beads, commonly known as bracelets, are most commonly made of eighteen beads, mostly made of precious materials or bright colors. Nowadays, many men and women who do not believe in Buddhism are proud to wear Buddhist beads, making them become a fashionable jewelry. In my opinion, all these people who love Buddhist beads should be regarded as people with deep roots of good deeds and who have been predestined with the Buddha for unbelievable kalpas. The Buddha has made it clear long ago:
If someone holds this bodhi bead and cannot recite the name of the Buddha and the Dharani according to the law, but can hold it with him while walking, standing, sitting or lying down, and what he says is good or evil, then By upholding the Bodhisattva, the merits gained by this person are the same as chanting the Buddhas and mantras, and the blessings are immeasurable. [5]
Hanging beads are mostly made of crystal, agate, jade, coral, dense wax, turquoise and other precious materials. The color of the beads must be uniform, and it is required to choose beads with little color change between them. Made of good materials that are warm, delicate, smooth and crystal clear. At the same time, the diameter of the beads is also required to be about one centimeter, and there should be no big error. When joining together, a spacer bead is embedded between every twenty-seven sub-beads. Under the mother bead, there is also a "Buddha head fringe" composed of a beautifully woven "Chinese knot" and jade, jade and other pendants. In important Dharma meetings or when great monks pay homage to the Buddha and burn incense, this "Buddha head tassel" can play a certain balancing role, thereby ensuring a dignified manner throughout the entire Buddhist activity. Generally speaking, when wearing beads, you should consider certain seasonality. For example, in summer, you should choose gemstones such as crystal, agate, jade, coral, etc., which can make people feel cool and close to your body; in winter, you should choose amber, dense wax. Or hanging beads such as fruits are better.
In addition, there is another type of hanging beads that is derived from Buddhist beads, that is, "Chaozhu", which is a unique ornament for officials in the Qing Dynasty. The biggest difference between Chaozhu and ordinary hanging beads is that Chaozhu changed the style of the Buddha's head tassel into a large pendant called "back cloud", which was tied with a wide ribbon and wrapped with silver enamel. The disciple bead was also moved to On the chest, it consists of three strings. Because in recent times there have been people who imitated the style of Chao beads to serve as hanging beads, so when wearing the style of hanging beads, you should pay attention to the three beads on the chest as the center symmetry, and put the "back cloud" on the back close to the center of the back. The three strings of disciple beads are in the shape of one on the left and two on the right. They must not be hung randomly as it violates etiquette.
In order to better understand the types of Buddhist beads, the names of each part of the beads are introduced below. A standard string of Buddhist beads should include mother beads, child beads, separated beads (also known as "Suchi"), disciple beads (also known as "Jizi"), Jiziliu and some accessories.
The mother bead, commonly known as "three links" or "Buddha head", usually has only one, but there are also two. It is used to combine different numbers of child beads into one place, and it can also play a role. It has the function of connecting disciple beads, Ji Ziliu and some ornaments. Mother beads in the old days often had Buddha images painted on the inside. Using the principle of convex lenses, the Buddha images inside can be clearly observed, making people feel the solemnity of the beads as a kind of ritual tool.
Separating beads, also known as "spacing beads" or "numbering beads", are mostly used to evenly separate the beads. Generally speaking, the spacer beads are slightly larger than the child beads, and the number can range from one to three. For example, for one hundred and eight beads and fifty-four beads, one spacer is needed for every twenty-seven beads; for twenty-seven and eighteen beads, one spacer is needed for every nine beads. beads.
The size of disciple beads is smaller than that of daughter beads. Generally, there are ten or twenty beads. They are mostly strung on the other end of mother beads. Ten beads are used as a small string, just like an abacus, using ten beads. Carry is used to calculate the number of twists. The number "ten" represents the "ten paramitas" of Buddhism, namely: giving, precepts, patience, diligence, meditation, prajna, expediency, wish, power, and wisdom.
[6]
Ji Ziliu refers to the beads or ornaments that are slightly larger than the disciple beads attached to the end of each string of disciple beads. It can also be replaced by a "Chinese knot" tied with a string. The purpose It is to prevent the disciple beads from slipping.
3. Far-reaching meaning - the number of beads
Each string of beads is made up of a certain number of beads. The number of beads varies with the scriptures and represents different meanings. , the list is as follows:
As can be seen from the above table, the number of Buddhist beads varies greatly in the classics, with as many as nine kinds. In fact, there are different numbers of Buddhist beads because they have different meanings. The different meanings are briefly described below based on commonly circulated sayings:
(1) One hundred and eight beads
p>is the most common number, in order to express the pursuit of the hundred and eight samadhi, to eliminate one hundred and eight kinds of troubles, so that the body and mind can reach a state of silence. There are many different explanations for the content of the Eighteen Troubles. Generally speaking, each of the six roots has three types of suffering, happiness, and equanimity, which are combined into eighteen types; and each of the six roots has three types: good, bad, and neutral, which are combined into ten. Eight kinds, totaling thirty-six kinds, plus the past, present, and future three lives, combined into one hundred and eight kinds of troubles. As it is said in the sutra:
Bodhisattvas asked: Why is it a hundred and eighty? The Buddha said: If you have thoughts and don't know that there is Yin and Collect in the birth and death of the mind, you don't know that it is delusion. The same is true when you turn to the mind, and the same is true for consciousness. This is the third mind. Seeing good colors, neutral colors, and bad colors, you don’t know that they are created, you don’t know that they are destroyed, there are yins and gatherings, and even contact is like this. That sutra only lists six roots each. Although there is no mention of three generations, it has a hundred and eighty-fold conclusions. Therefore, we know that it is about three generations in an instant. Since the three of mind and consciousness are the three of mind and earth, it connects the three worlds, such as gathering the mind of naming, measuring the name and meaning, and distinguishing consciousness. The three meanings are true, so the five roots that they rely on are also true. Three generations, three thirty-six, so there are one hundred and eight. [7]
(2) One thousand and eighty pieces
According to Tiantai Sect theory, all ten realms have good and evil natures, so the number one thousand and eighty means that each of the ten realms has its own nature. One hundred and eight kinds of troubles are combined into one thousand and eighty kinds of troubles. "Ten Realms" represents the entire world of confusion and enlightenment, namely: 1. Hell Realm, 2. Hungry Ghost Realm, 3. Animal Realm, 4. Shura Realm, 5. Human Realm, 6. Heaven Realm, 7. Sravaka Realm. , 8. Pratyekabuddha Realm, 9. Bodhisattva Realm, 10. Buddha Realm.
(3) Fifty-four stars
Represents the fifty-four positions in the Bodhisattva’s practice process, including the ten faiths, the ten dwellings, the ten conducts, the ten dedications, and the ten The fiftieth level of the earth, plus the four good roots. The breakdown is as follows:
The Ten Faiths:
1. Confidence, 2. Mindfulness, 3. Diligence, 4. Wisdom, 5. Concentration, 6. Dharma-protecting mind, 7. Dedicated mind, 8. Wary mind, 9. equanimity, 10. Wishful mind. [8]
Ten abodes:
1. The abode of the initial mind, 2. The abode of governing the ground, 3. The abode of practice, 4. The abode of precious life, 5. The abode of having sufficient conveniences. 6. Live with an upright mind, 7. Live without retreating, 8. Live with innocence, 9. Live with the Dharma Prince, 10. Live with empowerment. [9]
Ten lines:
1. Deeds of joy, 2. Deeds of benefit, 3. Deeds without hatred, 4. Endless deeds, 5. Deliberate deeds, 6. Good deeds Acting, 7. Actions without attachment, 8. Actions of respect, 9. Actions of good deeds, 10. Actions of truth. [10]
Ten deeds:
1. Dedicate to save all sentient beings and avoid the relationship between sentient beings, 2. Dedicate to immortality, 3. Dedicate to all Buddhas, 4. Dedicate to all. Dedicate everywhere, 5. Dedicate the endless treasure of merit, 6. Dedicate the good roots of obedience and equality, 7. Dedicate the observance of all sentient beings, 8. Dedicate the likeness, 9. Dedicate the unbound and free liberation, 10. Dharma Realm. Infinite dedication. [11]
Ten places:
1. The place of joy, 2. The place of separation, 3. The place of radiance, 4. The place of radiant wisdom, 5. The place of difficulty, 6. The present The former place, 7. The place of traveling far away, 8. The place of immobility, 9. The place of kindness and wisdom, 10. The place of Dharma cloud. [12]
Four Roots of Goodness:
Refers to the four levels of practice before seeing the Tao, meditating on the Four Truths and practicing the Sixteen Elements to achieve the holy position of no leakage, including: 1 , Warm position, 2. Top position, 3. Endurance position, 4. The first Dharma position in the world. [13]
(4) Forty-two stars
Indicates the forty-two stages of the Bodhisattva’s practice process, namely the ten abodes, the ten practices, the ten dedications, the ten grounds, etc. Awakening and sublime awareness.
Equal enlightenment: Also called equal enlightenment, it refers to those who are equal to the Buddha in content, but slightly inferior to the Buddha in actual practice. For detailed information, please refer to Kumarajiva's translation of "Renwang Prajnaparamita Sutra: Acceptance and Upholding Materials".
[14]
Wonderful Enlightenment: Refers to the ultimate Buddhahood of perfect enlightenment, which is obtained by breaking through the ignorance of the first level of enlightenment. [15]
(5) Thirty-six pills
There is no exact meaning. It is usually thought that they are for ease of carrying, so the one hundred and eight pills were divided into thirty-six pills. It contains the principle of seeing the big from the small, so it is the same as the one hundred and eight.
(6) Twenty-seven stars
Representing the twenty-seven sage saints who practice the four directions and four fruits of Hinayana practice, that is, the "eighteen learnings" and the first four directions and three fruits. The fourth Arahantship is the "Nine Unlearned".
Eighteen have learning: 1. Act according to faith, 2. Act according to Dharma, 3. Believe and understand, 4. See, 5. Personal evidence, 6. Every family, 7. One room (a kind of ), 8. Pre-flow direction, 9. Pre-flow fruit, 10. One-time direction, 11. One-time fruit, 12. Non-return, 13. Non-return fruit, 14. Mid-level nirvana, 15. Rebirth-level nirvana. , 16. Nirvana with actions, 17. Nirvana without actions, 18. Ultimate color of superior flow. [16]
Nine Wuxue: 1. Retreating phase, 2. Maintaining phase, 3. Death phase, 4. Living phase, 5. Advancing phase, 6. Indestructible phase, 7. Not regressing phase , 8. The sign of wisdom and liberation, 9. The sign of liberation. [17]
(7) Twenty-one pieces
Indicates the ten places, the ten paramitas, and the fruit of Buddhahood. For the introduction of "Ten Grounds" see the section "Fifty-four Pearls", and for the "Ten Paramitas" see the section "Disciple Pearls", I will not go into details here. "Buddha" refers to the ultimate state of attaining Buddhahood.
(Eight) Eighteen
Commonly known as "Eighteen", the so-called "Eighteen" refers to the "Eighteen Realms", that is, six roots, six dusts, six knowledge.
Six roots: 1. Eye world, 2. Ear world, 3. Nose world, 4. Tongue world, 5. Body world, 6. Mind world;
Six dusts: 1. Color dust, 2. Sound dust, 3. Fragrance dust, 4. Taste dust, 5. Touch dust, 6. Dharma dust;
Six consciousnesses: 1. Eye consciousness, 2. Ear consciousness, 3. Nose consciousness, 4. Tongue consciousness, 5. Body consciousness, 6. Consciousness. [18]
(9) Fourteen stars
It means that Guanyin Bodhisattva has the same compassion and admiration for all living beings in the ten directions, the three times, and the six paths, so that all living beings can obtain the fourteen fearless merits. . The fourteenth fearlessness:
1. Make all living beings reflect on their own nature and gain liberation;
2. Make all living beings turn around and see, so that even if they encounter fire, they will not be burned;
3. Make sentient beings spin around to watch and listen. Even if they are drifted by big water, they cannot drown;
4. Make sentient beings enter the Rakshasa ghost kingdom, and the ghosts will destroy their evil on their own;
5. The six roots of sentient beings will disappear and the sword will be broken when they are about to be harmed;
6. The Bodhisattva will shine in the ten directions, so that all living beings will not be harmed by Yaaksha and other netherworlds;
7 , so that all sentient beings will not be bound by false claims;
8. So that all sentient beings can walk on dangerous roads as if they were walking on smooth roads, and will not be robbed when encountering thieves; 9. Those who cause excessive sexual promiscuity, Don’t have sexual thoughts;
10. Keep those who hold anger and hatred from being angry;
11. Keep all those who are dull and have no good intentions away from delusion and darkness;
< p>12. Let the childless living beings who desire a man be given birth to a boy;13. Make the childless living beings who desire a woman be born with a daughter;
14. The blessings gained by all living beings who uphold the name of Guanyin are the same as the number of grains of sand in the Ganges River. [19]
4. Colorful and colorful - the materials of Buddhist beads
The materials used to make Buddhist beads can be said to be countless, whether they are minerals or plants, generally bamboo, wood , teeth and horns can be made into Buddhist beads. However, the materials recorded in Buddhist scriptures that can be used to make beads are very limited, with no more than ten kinds at most, which is really incomparable with the many and complicated categories today. The following is a list of the materials of Buddhist beads mentioned in Buddhist scriptures.
In Buddhism, Buddhist beads made of the "Seven Treasures" are the most noble. The names of the seven treasures are explained differently in various sutras. The Prajna Sutra states that there are seven kinds: gold, silver, lapis lazuli, clam, agate, amber, and coral. In addition to the above-mentioned "Seven Buddhist Treasures", the material of Buddhist beads can be divided into five major categories:
(1) Bodhi class
Bodhi beads are probably the most well-known type of Buddhist beads. . In fact, bodhi seed is not the fruit of the bodhi tree, but refers to a herbaceous plant named Chuangu that is produced near the snow-capped mountains. Its specific appearance is:
Seedlings grow in spring, with stems three or four inches high. Chi, leaves like millet, red and white flowers, spike-shaped, firm in summer and autumn, round and white in color, with a hard shell like enamel.
Because it is often used to count the beads for reciting the Buddha's name, it is also called the Bodhi Son. The woody one is a different species. It is found only in Tiantai Mountain in my country and is called Tiantai Bodhi. [20]
Nowadays, "Bodhi" has long been a general term, representing the meaning of "enlightenment". "Records of the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty" says:
The Bodhi tree is the Bibala tree. When the Buddha was alive in the past, he was hundreds of feet tall. However, after being cut down many times, he was especially four or five feet tall. The Buddha sat under it and achieved perfect enlightenment, so it was called the Bodhi tree. [21]
There are more than thirty varieties of Buddha beads named after Bodhi. Among them, some are named according to the place of origin, such as Tiantai Bodhi, Tianzhu Bodhi, etc.; some are named according to texture, such as Xingyue Bodhi, Phoenix Eye Bodhi, etc. Carrying a string of Bodhi beads will bring immeasurable blessings to people. "The Sutra on the Merit and Virtue of Counting Beads" says:
If the Bodhi Seed is used to count beads, either by pinching it or by holding it in hand and reciting it once, the blessings will be immeasurable. [22]
Because Bodhi beads have such profound meaning, many Buddha beads are usually named Bodhi beads, and those who believe in Buddhism must have a string of Bodhi beads.
(2) Gemstones
Gemstones are more valuable because of their bright colors, crystal texture, brilliant luster, hardness and durability, and because they are rare in the world. Generally speaking, the more common types of gemstones include: crystal, peridot, alexandrite, turquoise, malachite, hibiscus, aventurine, lapis lazuli, tourmaline, garnet, gold sandstone and many other categories. But these can only be regarded as second-class gems, far inferior to the four most precious gems: diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald. Because these gems are extremely precious, these gems are used to make Buddhist beads, which are mostly used by the royal family or wealthy gentry. , which is not available to ordinary people. For example, in the book "Chronology of Old Monk Xuyun", there is a story about how Old Monk Xuyun commissioned Master Kuan Hang to bring a string of "Seven Colors and Nine Treasures Arhat Beads" donated by a certain prince to Hong Kong and give them to Master Cen Xuelu as a souvenir. records.
Jade can be divided into broad and narrow senses. In a broad sense, it includes many kinds of minerals and rocks used for arts and crafts carving. Such as marble, Shoushan stone, Qingtian stone, Chang stone, Balin stone, Duan inkstone, etc. all fall into this category. In a narrow sense, jade only refers to two types: jadeite (represented by high-quality jade from Myanmar) and nephrite (represented by high-quality Hetian jade). Since jade has symbolized good luck for thousands of years, it is said that it can ward off evil spirits, ward off disasters and bring luck. In addition, it is influenced by the saying that "a gentleman is as virtuous as jade, and has the principles of benevolence, wisdom, propriety, loyalty and trustworthiness". Those made of jade Buddhist beads are becoming more and more popular among people.
(3) Fruit (core) type
Fruit (core) prayer beads occupy a large proportion in the large family of prayer beads. People can easily list many types, such as peach stone carving, walnut carving, olive stone carving, peach stone carving, diamond seed, sun seed, coix seed, lotus seed, coconut stem, five eyes and six tongs, etc., there are simply too many to mention. . Among them, peach pits and olive pits are the representatives of fruit pits, and wooden walnuts and coconut shells (pedicles) are the representatives of fruit types.
Peach tree is a deciduous tree that is easy to plant and has many seeds, so it is widely planted by people. It is said that peach wood can drive away ghosts, peach stems can ward off evil spirits, peach charms can ward off evil spirits, and peach stones are hard and can be carved into various kinds of Buddhist beads with profound meanings.
Olive is an evergreen tree with long round fruits and pointed ends. Because of its bitter yet sweet taste, it is also known as "Admonishing fruit with a sweet taste". Olive stones are as hard as stone and are an excellent material for making Buddhist beads.
Sapberry, also known as soapberry, is a kind of tree that grows on high mountains. Its branches and leaves are like a toon tree, with opposite leaves. In early summer, small yellow flowers bloom, and its capsule is swollen and split. And for three. It is as strong as a bullet and as black as a lacquer bead. Because in the "Mumu Sutra", the Buddha once taught King Boliu to pierce the muko to make rosary beads, so later generations of Buddhists like to use muko to make prayer beads, which means that they will uphold the Buddha's teachings and never forget them.
Coconut, or "Coconut", is an evergreen tree growing in tropical areas. The fruit is called coconut and can be used to make prayer beads. According to Yuan Mei's "Suiyuan Shihua" of the Qing Dynasty: "It has become customary recently for husbands to have multiple arms wrapped with gold bracelets and hands with coconut beads..." Zhao Fen also has the same record in "Li Yuexuan Collected Works": "During the Qianlong period Zhao Bingchong, the Minister of Household Affairs, selected a string of coconuts and counted beads, which are as precious as the armpits of a thousand foxes. "It can be seen that using coconut shells (pedicles) to make Buddhist beads was very common in the early Qing Dynasty and has a history of hundreds of years.
(4) Bamboo and wood
Both bamboo and wood can be used to make Buddhist beads.
Bamboo is a grassy woody evergreen plant that grows for many years. It is soft and hollow, and is not easily damaged by wind and rain. After experiencing cold and heat, its green branches and leaves will not wither. Therefore, the ancients often compared it to a tree that "cannot be taken away during major festivals." The gentleman. Bamboos include bamboo, bamboo, asparagus, arrow bamboo, palm bamboo, peach branch bamboo, spotted bamboo and so on. Huangzhu is hard and white in texture; Qiongzhu is high in knots and solid in texture; Arrow bamboo is strong and strong in arrows. These are all good materials for making Buddhist beads.
As for the types of wood, it can be said to be countless. The general materials used to make Buddhist beads can be pine, cypress, cinnamon, pepper, tung, catalpa, etc. Because pine and cypress wither, it is a metaphor for steadfastness and longevity; the fragrant cinnamon and pepper represent outstanding spiritual powers; tung is a noble tree, and the phoenix can live in it. ; Catalpa is a good material, used to make harp and harp, and most of them have certain meanings. However, the more expensive wooden beads are mostly made of precious materials such as sandalwood, agarwood, ganan, and ebony.
Sandalwood, also known as sandalwood, can be burned as a spice and can also be used as medicine. For example, the commentary in "Sounds and Meanings of All Sutras" says: Zhantan means white sandalwood can cure fever, and red sandalwood can remove wind and swelling. They are both medicines that can cure diseases and calm the body, so they are called Yule. [23]
To this day, most of the sandalwood used to make Buddhist beads is rosewood and rosewood. Especially red sandalwood, because of its solid wood, fine texture, purple color and fragrant aroma, is listed as one of the five Buddhist incense (agarwood, white sandalwood, rosewood, sala incense, celestial wood incense), and is more popular among people. Beloved.
(5) Other categories
This item covers a very wide range. It can be said that in addition to the above-mentioned treasures, Bodhisattva, gems and jade, fruits (core), bamboo and wood, all should belong to this category. Ox horns, cow bones, rhinoceros horns, ivory, etc. have always been rejected by Chinese Buddhism due to legal restrictions, but they are deeply loved by Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism even uses human skulls to make Buddhist beads. Wear or hold these Buddha beads can also help people understand the origin of life and death. At the same time, it will also make people feel some mysterious religious atmosphere.
In addition, there are Buddhist beads made of ceramics, purple sand, carved lacquer and other materials. These beads of different shapes will also bring people endless reverie.
5. How to use Buddhist beads to increase their functions and actions
Buddha beads are the most convenient instrument for propagating the Dharma, so all the great virtuous and eminent monks have always used Buddha beads. It is particularly emphasized in the scriptures that the merits and benefits of chanting beads made of different materials are also different. For example, in "The Sutra on the Merit and Virtue of Counting Beads", the Buddha told the public:
You are good listeners, I am now going to talk about the difference in merit and gain by counting beads and counting them. If there are those who recite the Dharani and the Buddha's name, in order to benefit themselves and protect others, and quickly seek the fulfillment of all Dharmas, their method of counting beads should be like this, and they must be upheld: If you use iron to count the beads, recite If you pinch the beads once, you will get five times the blessing. If you use red copper to count the beads, you will get ten times the blessings. If you use real pearls, corals, etc. to count the beads, you will get a hundred times the blessings. If you pinch it once, you will get a thousandfold blessing. If you wish to be reborn in the pure lands of Buddhas and heavenly palaces, you should receive this pearl. If you use lotus seeds to count the beads, chant it once and you will get thousands of blessings. If you use Indra's cross to count the beads, chant "Pinch". If you use the Uludhara cross to count beads once, you can count the blessings thousands of times. If you use water essence to count the beads, you can count the beads once with Bodhi seeds. One can recite it with a pinch or just hold it in hand and recite it several times. The blessings are immeasurable, cannot be counted, and are difficult to measure. [24]
In addition, in the second volume of the "Photography Sutra: Establishing a Dojo and Aspirations", the "Guardian Sutra", and the "Yoga Rosary Sutra", the merits of Bodhi beads are the most extraordinary. So people can't help but ask: Why do Bodhi beads have such great merit? In the "Manjushri Mantra Storehouse Calculation Beads Merit Sutra", Manjushri Bodhisattva told the public a story about the Buddha's past cause and place to clear up the doubts of the crowd:
For what reason I prefer to use it now? Bodhisattva benefits the most? Manjushri Bodhisattva said: In the past, a Buddha was born and achieved perfect enlightenment under this tree. At that time, there was a heretic who had wrong views and bad intentions and slandered the Three Jewels. There was a man there who was suddenly beaten and killed by inhuman beings. Heretics think: I have wrong views now, and I have not yet examined the divine power of all Buddhas. Now that the Tathagata has attained perfect enlightenment under this tree, if he is truly holy, the tree should be aware of it. When his son was about to die, he lay down under the bodhi tree and said this: If the Buddha tree is holy, my son should be alive. After seven days of praying and reciting the Buddha's name, the son was resurrected. The outsiders happily praised: I have never seen any Buddhas with great spiritual power. The Buddha's enlightenment tree showed such strange and great majesty, which is hard to imagine. At that time, when the outsiders heard about this, they abandoned their evil ways and returned to the right path, developed great Bodhicitta, and believed in the incredible power of the Buddha. For this reason, everyone in the world calls it the life-prolonging tree. The bodhi tree then had two names: one was the bodhi tree, and the other was the life-prolonging tree.
[25]
In any case, choosing a string of Bodhi beads and reciting scriptures, mantras or holy names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in your heart can drive away worries, eliminate obstacles, increase wisdom, and protect yourself. People are really helpful in helping us practice.
As mentioned before, Buddhist beads can be divided into three types, namely holding beads, hanging beads, and hanging beads. Most people who chant Buddha's prayers use holding beads. The posture of holding the beads can also be divided into two types, holding the beads with one hand and holding the beads with both hands. Holding beads in one hand is mostly used when standing or walking; holding beads in both hands is a posture often used when meditating. The method is to place the beads between the two hands in a cross shape, put the mother beads on one side, pinch and twist them for a week, and then return them to the original position. In fact, according to the book "Illustrated Book of Buddha Statues", there is no fixed posture for holding Buddhist beads by great virtuous monks throughout the history. There are various movements including left hand, right hand, one hand, both hands, raised, lowered, flat chest, knee level, etc. It's just "convenient", so we don't have to insist on a specific method of holding beads.
In the process of holding beads, people often encounter problems such as whether to cross the "Buddha's head" (mother bead). Because it has been said in the scriptures:
The pearl represents the victory of the Bodhisattva, and there is absolutely no leakage in the middle.
The strings running through it represent Guanyin, and the mother beads represent infinite life.
Be careful not to commit any transgressions or sins, as these beads will accumulate merit. [26]
It is recorded in the scriptures, so this is the theory. If the reciter simply uses Buddhist beads as a counting tool, there is no need to count the mother beads and spacer beads, just twist them lightly when reciting. People who chant like this, in addition to using the beads as a tool for diligence and counting, also hope to use them to understand more Buddhist principles. When holding the beads with their hands, they can use the three treasures of "Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha" , or visualize the three learnings of "precepts, concentration, and wisdom". When pinching the mother pearl with your hand, you can also visualize the Buddha's beautiful appearance and light, and at the same time pinch it counterclockwise in the opposite direction to solve this kind of problem. .
In addition to being held in the hand for chanting and counting, Buddhist beads can also be hung around the neck as beads, or wrapped around the arms as beads. These have profound meanings. :
Hold the beads in both hands and focus on your heart, meditate calmly and concentrate on your thoughts.
In the same state of mind of the deity and yoga, you can achieve the method of management.
If you put it in a bun on the top of your head or hang it on your body, or put it on your neck or arms,
the words you say become chants, and the chanting can purify the three karmas.
By placing it in a bun on the top of the head, it can be purified seamlessly, and by wearing it with a belt on the neck, it can be purified four times.
It can be carried on the arm to eliminate all sins and make pedestrians clean quickly.
If you practice Mantra Dharani and recite the name of Tathagata Bodhisattva, you will gain immeasurable merit and virtue, and all your wishes will be fulfilled. [27]
Furthermore, due to the different practices of the three parts (womb treasure realm) and the five parts (Vajra Realm) in esoteric Buddhism, there are also special requirements for Buddhist beads. Compared with the commonly used Buddhist beads, is different. According to the "Sushiddhikara Sutra": "The Buddha Department uses Bodhi Seed Beads, the Avalokitesvara Department uses Lotus Seed Beads, and the Vajra Department uses Luoyang Seed Beads." According to the "Guardian Sutra" and "Yoga Rosary Sutra": "Buddha Bodhi beads are used for the Vajra branch, diamond beads are used for the Vajra branch, gold and other precious beads are used for the Bao branch, lotus seed beads are used for the Lotus branch, and various combination beads are used for the Karma branch. One article said: "Amber beads are used for practicing the method of increasing, crystal beads are used for practicing the breath method, coral beads are used for repairing the bad method and longevity method, human skull beads are used for cultivating the killing method, bodhi beads are used for practicing the Guanyin method, and phoenix eyes can be used for practicing all methods. "Bodhi beads."
In addition, the Tantric scriptures also have detailed regulations on the fingering method of twisting Buddha beads. In terms of five parts, it is recorded in the "Photography Sutra": for the Buddha part, pinch it with the right thumb and index finger, for the Vajra part, use the right thumb and middle finger, for the Treasure part, use the right thumb and ring finger of the right hand, for the Lotus part, pinch it with the right thumb and little finger, and for the Karma part, pinch it with the right thumb and index finger. Use the thumb of your right hand and the other four fingers to twist it together. In terms of three parts, it is recorded in the Sutra Sutra: In the Buddha part, the thumb of the right hand is connected with the tips of the other four fingers, the middle finger and the little finger are upright, and the index finger is slightly bent and attached to the middle section of the middle finger to pinch it; in the Lotus part, the thumb is connected with the tips of the other four fingers. The tips of the middle fingers are brought together, and the other three fingers are stretched out to pinch it; for the Vajra part, the tips of the thumb and index finger are brought together, and the other three fingers are stretched out to pinch it.
Conclusion
Buddha beads originally appeared as props for monks and have been preserved to this day. For example, the "Props Chapter" in the volume of "Shishi Notes" quotes the "Zhong Agama Sutra" : "The things accumulated can be used to advance the Tao, and they are tools for the growth of good deeds." [28] However, as the years have passed and the discipline has been lost, many tools have become obsolete in name only, such as the teeth and wood. , water filter bag, etc. are examples of this.
Not only have the Buddhist beads not been abandoned, but they have become more compliant with the world. It can be said that they have long become a symbol of the "good roots" of those living beings who are "predestined to the Buddha". Because of this, among dozens of kinds of magical tools, I chose "Buddha beads" to introduce them in detail.
This article introduces the types, numbers, materials, etc. of Buddhist beads in detail based on what I know. The purpose is to allow everyone to understand these many "appearances". The "Diamond Sutra" says: "All appearances are false. If you see all appearances that are not appearances, you will see the Tathagata." It means that all living beings should not "attach to the appearance" when practicing, whether reciting sutras, chanting Buddha's name, or worshiping Buddha. Buddha beads also serve as It exists as a kind of "phase". Therefore, when we use prayer beads, we should not pay too much attention to its structure, number and material. As long as we can "calm down, avoid wandering thoughts, and hold the beads with our hearts focused", we can realize Bodhi and achieve Nirvana early.