Rudraksha beads resemble the eyes of Lord Shiva. Etymology states that the Sanskrit word, ‘Rudra’ means Lord Shiva and ‘Aksha’ means teardrop. According to a legend the tree was created out of a teardrop that fell on the earth.
The beads are the seeds of the Rudraksha tree (Elaeocarpus granitrus). In Hinduism, these beads are considered holy and are thought to possess divine and mystical powers. Some say Rudraksha beads have magnetic healing properties which can lower blood pressure and heal other ailments.
Apart from these characteristics, wearers of Rudraksha beads necklaces are considered protected from all desecrative deeds or thoughts and to be untouched by sins.
Ancient writings such as the Padma Purana, Shiva Purana and Mantramaharnava state that when a person dies while wearing rudraksha beads he is released from the cycle of life and death and achieves Moksha (the liberation from samsara , the cycle of death and rebirth or reincarnation and all of the suffering)
Find out more about Buddhist mala beads. More background info, types of beads and where to buy them.
Buddhist Japa Mala Beads and Similar Necklaces
All over the world we can find necklaces crafted and worn with significance, with deeper meanings. Ever since the dawn of mankind the purpose of jewelry was not only an ornamental one, jewelry had more functions. From very basic and practical such as protection; little bells to ward of snakes or other venomous creatures in the high grass. Spiritual protection from good luck amulets and pendants. But also identification, think for example about showing membership of a certain tribe or religious group.
Amulets, talismans, pendants and other good luck charms,beaded bracelets and necklaces, prayer boxes are all types of Buddhist jewelry worn around the neck or wrist. Many of these Buddhist necklaces are used to provide a tangible connection between the person wearing it and his or her spiritual beliefs. Buddhist Mala beads for example are used as a prayer tool.
Most of these necklaces have 108 beads on a strand to aid with counting the mantra that has to be recited 108 times. A few beads are bigger than the rest, these are called Guru beads. Counting starts by holding a bead behind the Guru bead. Every time a mantra has been recited the Mala is moved through the fingers. This way one does not have to focus on the counting but can concentrate on the mantra reciting itself. A well known mantra is the so called “Om Mani Padme Hum”. According to Buddhist literature mala means something like “Rose” or “Garland”. The Mala is also perceived as the Eastern equivalent of the Catholic Rosary Beads.
Historic Function of Jewelry
Authentic Buddhist jewelry mostly comes from Tibet and Nepal. Rings, pendants and Mala (prayer beads) are common examples. Wearing jewelry nowadays mostly has aesthetic reasons only apart from e.g. Mala beads. When we look at our history though we wore bracelets, necklaces for other purposes too. Many pieces had little bells or made sounds in another way. Their function was to ward of evil ghosts, bad karma and, more down to earth (literally) snakes, scorpions and other dangerous creatures. Other purposes were the use as combs, hair pins, buckles and to distinguish oneself regarding rank, wealth and status.
Buddhism has its own unique beliefs and uses. In order to learn about the symbolic meanings of its jewelry we have to start at the basis. Buddha or Siddhartha Gautama or The Awakened One probably needs no explanation. But terms like the Om Asta Mangala, the Eternity Knot, Mandala and Mala which are fundamentals for many Buddhist designs could probably be explained in order to