Material: beeswax. Old object. (small)

Size: 42g (approximate weight) 13mm

Description:

Old beeswax Buddhist beads have important cultural and religious significance in Tibetan Buddhism. Their influence and use are derived from the practice tradition, material culture and reverence for natural materials of Tibetan Buddhism. The following is a detailed description of the origin of their influence and use:

**I. The influence and status of old beeswax Buddhist beads in Tibetan Buddhism**

1. **Religious symbolism and spiritual value**:

- Old beeswax Buddhist beads are regarded as sacred objects with spiritual blessings in Tibetan Buddhism. Beeswax (a type of amber) is a natural material formed naturally by resin over millions of years. Tibetan Buddhists believe that it contains the energy of nature, which echoes the Buddhist philosophy of "impermanence" and "reincarnation".

- Old beeswax is often believed to have the effect of warding off evil spirits, protecting the body and increasing blessings because of its long age and warm texture. Tibetan Buddhists believe that wearing or using old beeswax beads can help practitioners purify their minds, enhance their meditation, and have a deeper connection with the Dharma.

- In the Tantric tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhist beads (called "ཕྲེང་བ།" in Tibetan, transliterated as "trengwa") are important instruments, often used to chant mantras and count the number of times they practice. Old beeswax beads are often regarded as precious auxiliary tools for practice by monks or devout practitioners because of their rarity and unique color and texture.

2. **Cultural and aesthetic value**:

- Old beeswax beads are not only religious items, but also works of art in Tibetan Buddhist culture. Their unique color (from light yellow to dark red) and natural texture are regarded as a symbol of beauty, and are often used to worship Buddha statues or as gifts between monks and nobles.

- In the history of Tibetan Buddhism, old beeswax beads are often paired with other precious materials (such as Dzi beads, coral, turquoise) to make exquisite beads, symbolizing the piety and status of practitioners.

3. **History and inheritance**:

- It takes millions of years for old beeswax to form. Its rarity and non-renewability give it a high status in Tibetan Buddhist culture. Especially in Tibet, beeswax is often obtained from the Silk Road trade, which is related to the amber trade route in Central Asia and West Asia, so it is also regarded as a carrier of cultural exchange.

- Some old beeswax beads are said to have been blessed by successive generations of monks, carrying special magic power and inheritance, further enhancing their religious status.

**II. How to use and origin of old beeswax beads**

1. **How to use**:

- **Reciting and counting**: Old beeswax beads are mainly used for Tibetan Buddhist chanting practice, especially when chanting mantras (such as the six-syllable mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum") or reciting scriptures 108 times. Buddhist beads usually consist of 108 main beads, symbolizing 108 kinds of troubles or 108 Buddhas. Practitioners record the number of recitations by turning the beads.

- **Meditation aid**: During meditation, holding old beeswax Buddhist beads can help practitioners focus their minds. Its warm touch helps calm emotions and enter a deeper state of meditation.

- **Wearing and protection**: Old beeswax Buddhist beads are often worn on the wrist or neck as amulets or evil spirits. Tibetan Buddhists believe that they can resist negative energy and protect the wearer from evil spirits.

- **Offering and ritual**: In Tibetan Buddhist ceremonies or offering rituals, old beeswax Buddhist beads may be used as offerings and placed on the altar to express piety and respect.

2. **Origin of usage**:

- **Buddhism was introduced into Tibet**: The use of Buddhist beads originated from early Buddhism. It was introduced to northwest India with Buddhism around the 3rd century BC, and later introduced to Tibet via the Silk Road. Tibetan Buddhism gradually developed a unique Tantric practice after the 7th century, and Buddhist beads became an indispensable ritual implement.

- **Introduction of beeswax**: The popularity of beeswax as a material for Buddhist beads is related to the Tibetan people's admiration for natural materials. Tibetan Buddhism emphasizes harmonious coexistence with nature. The natural properties of beeswax make it regarded as a gift from the earth and suitable for making Buddhist beads. In the early days, beeswax mostly entered Tibet through trade from the Baltic Sea or Central Asia, becoming a precious religious and cultural product.

- **The symbol of 108 beads**: Tibetan Buddhist beads usually have 108 beads. This number originated from the tradition of Indian Buddhism, representing the elimination of 108 kinds of troubles or corresponding to 108 Buddhist scriptures. The production of old beeswax Buddhist beads follows this tradition, while incorporating the unique aesthetics and craftsmanship of Tibet.

- **Blessing and inheritance**: In Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhist beads are often blessed by high monks to give them spiritual power. Old beeswax Buddhist beads are often selected as objects of blessing due to the rarity of their materials, further strengthening their role in practice.

**Three, Summary**

In Tibetan Buddhism, old beeswax beads are not only a practical practice tool, but also a sacred object that carries spirituality, culture and history. Its influence comes from its rarity, natural properties and fit with Buddhist philosophy, while its use is derived from the Buddhist chanting tradition and the material culture of Tibet. The warm texture and unique texture of old beeswax beads give it a special religious and aesthetic value in the hearts of Tibetan Buddhists, and become an important medium connecting practitioners with Buddhism.

Old beeswax beads