What material should I buy for Buddhist beads?

Buddha beads, originally called "rosary beads", are portable tools used by Buddhists to count and regulate the body and mind when reciting Buddha's names or mantras. The origin of prayer beads in the Buddhist scriptures is recorded in the "Buddha Speaks of Wood Soapwood Sutra". The Buddha taught the wandering king to use 108 wood soap seeds to run through them, and to concentrate on chanting the names of the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, which can eliminate worries and obstacles. .

Twist the beads and recite mantras to the Buddha, which can produce various merits. There are many types of materials used to make beads, and the merits obtained are also different. They are found in the "Muscanthus Sutra", "The Merit Sutra of Counting Beads", "Vajra Yoga Rosary Sutra", "Dharani Collection Sutra", "Shenzhen Sutra", etc. The materials and quantities for making beads are mentioned in the scriptures, but there are different opinions. According to the Sutra of Numbering Beads, the merits of Buddhist beads of various materials in increasing order are: iron, red copper, real pearls and corals, soapberry, lotus seeds, Indra Lalaksha (Emperor Shizi), Wu Yao Tuo Lalaksha (Vajra Seed). ), water essence, bodhi seed. Bodhisattva's blessings are "incalculable and difficult to measure" for counting pearls. Among the "Guardian Sutra", "Yoga Bead Sutra" and "Photography Sutra", the merits of Bodhisattva are the most outstanding. In the "Dharani Collection Sutra", the merits of water essence are the most outstanding.

The number of Buddhist beads, "The Merit Sutra of Counting Beads" states: "The one who counts the beads should have at least one hundred and eight beads. If it is rare, it may be fifty-four, twenty-seven or fourteen." It has to be used." There are 1080, 42, and 18 in other scriptures. Among them, 108 is the most commonly used.

The common types of Buddhist beads in the classics are:

1. Gold, silver, copper and iron. There are certain merits and virtues in chanting Buddha beads made of metal. "The Merit Sutra of Counting Beads" says: "If you use iron to count the beads, you will get five times the blessings by chanting them once. If you use red copper to count the beads, you will get ten times the blessings by chanting them once." Similarly, the "Yoga Rosary Sutra" also mentions that "beads made of iron will bring three times the blessing, and beads made of wrought copper will bring four times the blessing." Gold and silver represent health and longevity. Buddha statues are generally made of gold, which means that "the golden body protects the body and protects against all diseases."

Tridacna

2. Tridacna. One of the Seven Treasures of Buddhism, it is found in the deep sea and is one of the four major organic gemstones in the West along with coral, pearls and amber. After thousands of years of cultivation and growth, Tridacna can emit a very large energy magnetic field, which has the function of improving the harmony of body and mind, inspiring free wisdom, and destroying the troubles of all living beings. It is one of the important instruments practiced by Tibetan Buddhist monks and is a secret treasure of Buddhism.

3. Water essence (crystal). Rare minerals are a type of gemstone that grow deep underground and in caves. Some scriptures also classify it as one of the Seven Treasures of Buddhism. Crystals have powerful magnetic field energy, and crystals of various colors also have different effects. White crystal can clear your mind and refresh your mind, while pink crystal can soothe your emotions and broaden your mind.

4. Pearl coral. Pearls, or pearls, are rare organic gemstones produced by the endocrine action of shellfish molluscs. Wearing it can provide peace of mind and determination. Coral is also one of the important organic gemstones. Buddhists in India and China's Tibet region regard red coral as the incarnation of the Tathagata Buddha. They use coral as a mascot for worshiping Buddha. It has the function of preventing disasters and giving wisdom.

5. Wood soapberry. Also known as soapberry, it is a tree that grows on high mountains. Its fruits are as big as pellets, black, shiny and hard. 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. It has the function of warding off evil spirits.

6. Emperor Shizi. The "Yoga Rosary Sutra" calls it "a thousandfold merit", which is extremely rare today.

7. Lotus seeds (lotus). Seeds of rare plants. It is conical in shape and comes in two types: dark brown and white. Its texture is hard and its shape resembles a lotus, hence its name. It is a symbol of attainment and fruition. When practicing the Lotus Department in Tantric Buddhism, lotus beads must be used to string beads, which is more helpful for attaining the Bodhisattva position. Carrying lotus beads with you can calm your mind and keep you pure.

8. Sandalwood beads. Sandalwood is mainly produced in India, Indonesia, Australia, Pacific Islands and other places. According to historical traditions, merchants and craftsmen generally divide sandalwood into four types: Indian Laoshan Incense, Australian New Mountain Incense, Indonesian Dimen Incense, and Australian Sydney Incense. Among them, Indian Laoshan Incense is the top grade. Sandalwood has a hard, fine, smooth texture and good hand feel. It is generally yellowish brown or dark brown, and the color of old materials is slightly darker. Carrying it with you has the effect of calming the mind, calming the mind and rejuvenating the mind.

9. Bodhisattva. "The Sutra of Counting Beads and Merits" mentions: "If the Bodhi Seed is used to count beads, either by picking up the beads and reciting them or holding them in the hand. If you recite them once, the blessings will be immeasurable. It cannot be counted and it is difficult to measure. Good men, if there are Bodhi Seeds, if someone holds them again, This pearl cannot be recited according to the law. This good man can only hold it in his hand while walking, standing, sitting and lying. This is why this person will get the same blessings as reciting it. There is no difference in reciting mantras." There are many kinds of Bodhisattva, and there are more than thirty kinds of them that are often mentioned: Longan Bodhi, Sun Bodhi, Moon Bodhi, Manga, Tianyi Zi, Jin Chan Zi, Asura Zi, Dharani, Mani, Man Suan, Heavenly Eye, Lotus Seat, Golden Cherry, Five Eyes and Six Links, Muyu Fruit, Melon Bodhi, Tiantai Bodhi, Golden Silk Bodhi, Tianzhu Bodhi... Among them, Rudraksha, Phoenix Eye Bodhi and Star-Moon Bodhi are known as the three traditional Bodhisattvas.

Rudraksha

Rudraksha. The sons of the Vajra tree are found in plateau areas above 2,000 meters above sea level in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. The number of petals ranges from 2 to 17, and their symbolic meanings are also different.