Material: Bodhi seed rosary, 108 beads.

Size: 7 mm

Description: "Bodhi seed rosary" is one of the most common materials used for handheld prayer beads by Buddhists (especially Tibetan Buddhism and Pure Land and Chan Buddhism in China). Its scientific name is "Entada phaseoloides" (or Entada rheedii), belonging to the legume family, also known as "sea bean" or "elephant bean."

Main characteristics and components:

- Fruit: Entada is a tropical giant woody vine. The pods can reach 1-2 meters in length and contain dozens of flat, round, hard seeds.

- Seed appearance: Each seed is approximately 1.2-1.8 cm in diameter and 6-10 mm thick. The front has a naturally occurring small indentation (this is the seed navel), surrounded by a shallow indentation forming a "moon," while the central dot resembles a "star," hence the name "Bodhi seed rosary."

- Composition: Primarily composed of extremely hard, lignified seed endosperm (a plant hard tissue mainly composed of cellulose and lignin), with a hardness approaching ivory, making it wear-resistant and resistant to decay.

- Origin: Mainly produced in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia; currently, over 90% of the market supply comes from:

- Indonesia (Sumatra, Kalimantan)

- Malaysia

- Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia

- Small quantities also found in India and Sri Lanka

Why is it called "Bodhi"?

Although it is not the fruit of the actual Bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa, the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment), its appearance features "star and moon" patterns, symbolizing "the radiance of Buddhas and the brightness of the star and moon." Combined with its high density and the fact that it gradually turns reddish-brown or amber after handling, developing a beautiful patina, it is called "Star and Moon Bodhi" by Han Chinese Buddhists and is considered one of the most auspicious prayer beads.

Influence and Status on Buddhism

1. **Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana)**

- Bodhi seed beads are one of the most common materials for 108-bead rosaries in Tibetan Buddhism (the other being Bodhi seeds).

- Many eminent monks (such as the Dalai Lamas and Karmapas) use Bodhi seed beads to recite the Vajrasattva Hundred Syllable Mantra and the Six-Syllable Mantra.

- Tibetans call them "Serashi" (meaning "moon and star seeds"), considering them sacred objects with pure and powerful blessings.

2. **Han Chinese Buddhism**

- Pure Land Buddhism: Most commonly used for reciting "Namo Amitabha Buddha." Many elderly people have been reciting a string of Bodhi seed beads for decades, polishing them until they are translucent and reddish, considering them "resources for rebirth in the Pure Land."

- Widely used in Chan and Tiantai Buddhism.

- In folk beliefs, they are believed to have the effects of "warding off evil, increasing blessings, and opening wisdom."

3. **Cultural and Aesthetic Influences**

- Bodhi seeds are one of the most popular types of beads in the global bead-making culture, driving the revival of this traditional craft.

- High-density, perfectly round, and full-moon-shaped Bodhi seeds (such as "Lion's Head" and "Gentian Head") can fetch hundreds of thousands to millions of RMB, becoming Buddhist art pieces and collectibles.

Summary: Bodhi seeds are essentially the seeds of tropical rattan. Due to their natural "star and moon" texture and extremely high hardness and durability, they have been endowed with sacred meaning by Buddhists, becoming one of the most important and widespread prayer bead materials in Tibetan and Han Buddhism. They are not only tools for chanting mantras and reciting Buddha's name, but also carry the vows and time of countless practitioners. The older and more translucent they become through handling, the deeper and more complete one's spiritual practice becomes, hence the saying, "A string of Bodhi seeds, a lifetime of Buddhist affinity."