Material: White Jade Rosary

Size: 12mm / 54 beads

Description: Origin of White Jade Rosary

White jade rosary beads (also known as "white tridacna rosary beads" or "white jade bodhi seed rosary beads") are considered a precious and elegant material in Buddhism. There are two main sources of "white jade":

1. **Natural White Tridacna (Tridacna gigas, tridacna)**

- This is the most traditional and revered material for "white jade rosary beads." Tridacna is the world's largest bivalve molluskaloid, with a delicate, jade-white shell possessing a natural porcelain-white luster and faint blood-like veins.

- In Tibetan and Han Buddhism, tridacna is considered one of the "Seven Treasures" (gold, silver, lapis lazuli, agate, tridacna, pearl, and rose quartz).

- Legend has it that Shakyamuni Buddha offered water using a tridacna shell, thus tridacna is considered to possess extremely strong blessing power, capable of purifying karmic obstacles and increasing blessings and longevity.

- Ancient Indian and Sri Lankan monks used tridacna to make prayer beads long ago. The Tang Dynasty monk Jianzhen also carried tridacna prayer beads with him when he traveled to Japan.

2. **White Jade Bodhi Root (Also known as Moon Bodhi, Indian Bodhi)**

- This is a more popular "white jade prayer bead" in recent years. It is actually the fruit of a plant called "Elaeocarpus ganitrus" from Southeast Asia (a white variant of common bodhi seeds).

- With prolonged handling, it gradually changes from grayish-white to ivory white or moon white, hence the name "white jade bodhi."

- Although more affordable than tridacna, it has traditionally held a lower status.

Usage and Bracelet Specifications

The most standard specification for Buddhist prayer beads is 108 beads (symbolizing the severing of 108 kinds of afflictions). White jade prayer beads also mostly follow this specification:

- **108 main beads + mother bead (Buddha head) + disciple beads, spacer beads, and stupa beads**

The most common configuration is 108 white tridacna or white jade bodhi beads, plus one larger mother bead (representing Amitabha Buddha or the principal deity), 10 small disciple beads (representing the ten paramitas), and several spacer beads (commonly three or four, representing the Three Jewels or the Four Noble Truths).

- **Common Sizes**:

- Tridacna Prayer Beads: 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm (the smaller the size, the more precious; 6mm is already considered top-grade)

- White Jade Bodhi Beads: 10-15mm is more common (because the bodhi seeds themselves are relatively large)

- **How ​​to Hold**:

- Hold the beads in the left hand (representing compassion), use the thumb to move the beads, and do not touch the beads with the index finger (the index finger represents ego). - Recite one Buddhist mantra (such as "Namo Amitabha Buddha" or the Six-Syllable Mantra) with each bead.

- Reciting 108 times in a complete cycle is called "one set," which can be used as a counting bead or a counting bead.

Profound Influence on Buddhism

1. **Belief in Purifying Karmic Obstacles, Prolonging Life, and Increasing Blessings**

Tridacna beads, in particular, are believed to have a very strong "purifying magnetic field." Many high-ranking monks in Tibetan Buddhism (such as the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas) have worn Tridacna beads for a long time. There is a saying among the people: "First Tridacna, second Amber, third Jade," regarding it as the highest quality material for Buddhist prayer beads.

2. **Symbolizing Purity and Immaculate Conception**

White represents "purity and immaculate conception" in Buddhism. Therefore, white Tridacna beads are often used in Pure Land, Zen, and Tantric practices for reciting mantras, chanting mantras, and visualization. Especially during end-of-life assistance, using white Tridacna beads is believed to help the deceased purify their karmic obstacles and be reborn in the Pure Land.

3. **Extended Explanation in Medical and Energetic Aspects**

Tridacna gigas is rich in calcium carbonate and trace elements. Traditional Chinese medicine considers it to be cold in nature, capable of clearing heat and detoxifying, calming the liver and suppressing yang, thus it is often used to lower blood pressure and soothe the mind. Modern crystal healing also regards tridacna gigas as an extremely powerful "purifying stone."

4. **Cultural and Artistic Value**

Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, white jade prayer beads have been treasured by royalty and high-ranking officials. Tridacna gigas prayer beads constitute a significant portion of the Qing dynasty imperial collections in many museums. In modern times, it has become a representative of high-end Buddhist ritual objects, with a string of top-quality antique tridacna gigas prayer beads often costing hundreds of thousands of RMB.

In summary, genuine "white jade prayer beads" (especially tridacna gigas) hold an extremely high position in Buddhist history, considered one of the materials closest to "Buddha-nature purity" for holding prayer beads. It is not only a tool for chanting Buddha's name but is also believed to directly connect with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, possessing multiple merits such as blessing, purification, and longevity. Therefore, for thousands of years, it has been the preferred ritual implement of great masters and eminent monks.