The Harmony Mala + Bracelet with Premium Cypress Bodhi Bead with Icy NanHong Agate and Pit Carving of Arhat (阿罗汉) 无诤三昧
The Harmony Mala is inspired by one of my all time favorite Buddhist sutra – The Diamond Sutra 金刚经. The Diamond Sutra is highly regarded in East Asian Buddhism, especially in China and Japan, and is considered a key text in the development of Mahayana Buddhism (‘perfection of wisdom’). The text emphasizes the concept of emptiness (Śūnyatā) and the transience of all things and asserts that everything, including the teachings themselves, is ultimately devoid of inherent existence.
Text below is excerpted from The Diamond Sutra Chapter 9 第九品 一相无相分
世尊！若阿罗汉作是念：‘我得阿罗汉(1)道’，即著我人众生寿者(2)。世尊！佛说我得无诤三昧(3)，人中最为第一，是第一离欲(4)阿罗汉。我不作是念：‘我是离欲阿罗汉’。世尊！我若作是念：‘我得阿罗汉道’，世尊则不说须菩提是乐阿兰那行者！以须菩提实无所行，而名须菩提是乐阿兰那行。
Venerable One! If an Arhat thinks, “I have attained the true wisdom of Arhat (1).” Then, he has broken the very first rule of meditation, in which his mind has already influenced by emotional thoughts. Venerable One! Buddha told me I have achieved the state of “无wú 诤zhèng 三sān 昧mèi” (3), highest state among human being, also know as the Arhat without any desire. But I have never thought about that title, not even a little. Venerable one! If I have thought about that I have achieved the state of “wú zhèng sān mèi” or feel I have done it. Then I have achieved nothing. My inner piece can not influenced by any emotion. I does not matter who said it or what was said about me, positive or negative, good or bad. It wont affect my inner peace.
The next part is my own interpretation. Everything in this universe that formed our perception of the world are just signals traveled through neurons then processed by brain. If you can train your brain to remain calm, that is, not to be influenced by any emotions, you will probably end up with a better vision which then will lead to better decision making or less action resulted from impulse. The vast majority of us are very attached to our emotions which has a causal effect to our decision making and actions taken. The odds do not favor the majority.
- Arhat -In Buddhism, an arhat is one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence and has achieved Nirvana and liberated from the endless cycle of rebirth.
- 众生寿者 – 即我相，人相，众生相，寿者相。this is the most often repeated phrase in the diamond sutra, I am not able to translate this verbatim. But will try my best to express my interpretation.
- 无诤三昧 “wú zhèng sān mèi” is a Chinese expression which refers to the state of consciousness achieved through meditation, where one experiences a deep state of peace, equanimity, and non-duality. It is a central concept in Chinese Buddhism and is often associated with the practice of Chan (Zen) Buddhism. In this state of consciousness, the mind is free from dualistic thoughts and perceptions, and one experiences a sense of unity with all things. The idea is to reach a state of awareness where one is not attached to any particular thought or emotion, and where one sees the nature of things as they truly are, without the veil of illusion.
- 欲 – desire in any form. “这个欲是广义的，不是指男女之间情爱之欲，是指一切的欲，连修道，贪恋打坐，贪恋清净的那个欲望，都是欲。须菩提已经空了一切的欲，所以是第一离欲阿罗汉.” – 选自南怀瑾
Design:
108 premium cypress seed mala + bracelet made by the same quality seed.
Three carved olive pit with Arhat expressions. The main bead is a vivid red agate with smooth surface.
12 8mm cypress beads are used as apprentice bead. Finished with two phoenix tail knots.
Edition of 1 only. Item is blessed in Nepal by a local monk.
Necklace
Full Mala, Rudrakasha, Carved Bodhi White Elephant