Beads

[Hogen]

Re: Beads

I have seen those before, but they don't seem so common in America. I'd like to know more about them too.

[Jundo]

Re: Beads

One more thing I came across about the unique metal ring on the Soto-style juzu represents the ringing of the bell at new year, when it is struck 108 times--any truth to that?

Well, it seems that the little metal ring is called the "108 ring". My educated guess (and nothing more) is that it is a mini-version of the rings found on the SHAKUJOU ??




Here is some information on that ...

A pilgrim's staff ... In Japan the shakuj usually consists of a wooden handle or pole topped with a metal finial with two sections, each with three rings, for a total of six rings, which represent the Six States of Existence -- the cycle of samsara, of suffering and reincarnation; in Japan, Jizo Bosatsu is often shown holding this staff. In India, the shakujou's metal rings were originally used by traveling priests to alert small creatures to keep them from accidentally being harmed by a priest when walking in the woods. It was also used to frighten away dangerous snakes or beasts that the priest might have encountered. The shakujou could also serve as a cane to help the priest walk. When begging, he rattled this staff to announce his arrival at the door or gate of a household without breaking the vow of silence. In Japan the shakujou is still used by monks, pilgrims, and practitioners of Shugendou ???, a school of Buddhism that teaches ascetic practices in the mountains (see En no gyouja ???). A yamabushi ?? or mountain priest may use it for magic or exorcism. In the Shingon ?? and Tendai ?? sects, the shakujou is used as a ritual object in special ceremonies. Some have short handles and are held when chanting.
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/p ... japan.html

I cannot confirm a direct connection to ringing the bells at New Year and the meaning (called Joya-no-kane (????), but we joined in that last year and a little about the meaning of "108" in that tradition ...

http://www.shambhalasun.com/sunspace/?p=13750

Does that ring your bell? :lol:

Gassho, Jundo

[Shokai]

Re: Beads

Thanks Jundo, this is most interesting, I have a small replica of a SHAKUJOU which is a magnetic statue that stands on the dashboard of our car. It is a Kotsu-anzen-mamori (traffic safety charm) from Sanjusangendo http://bit.ly/bKUzSZ in Kyoto. I had never gone as far as to research the significance of its shape.
Also, looking further down on the linked site; you read about Shuin-chou:

Pilgrims usually carry a stamp book, which they typically purchase at the first temple or shrine along the circuit. The pilgrim pays the custodian at each temple or shrine to stamp/inscribe their book as proof of their visit. The covers of these books are often quite artistic.

Well, if I may be allowed a little "show and Tell / Bring and Brag" :roll: ; I happen to have a (completed) Shuin-chou for the Thirty-four Temples at Chichbu (circa. 1994); as pictured here:
and here:
(Don't ask me how knew that if I kept this book it would come in handy one day!) :lol: :lol: 8)

p.s. My wife has the car at work right now but, when she comes home I'll add a picture of the shakujou

[Bobman4671]

I know this is an old thread but I've made a regular practice of making Nenju. I grew up in a (somewhat) Catholic household and I was fascinated by the rosary. I would pray the rosary every day at one point. Just the combination of body, speech, and mind coming together felt almost magical. But leaving my Catholic faith, I put up my rosary and researched many different religions.

When I re-discovered Zen, I found the Mala beads very curious and was surprised that they were used in the same way rosaries were but I did my research before getting one from what I call my local "voodoo" shop. They snapped, of course, and I restrung them in the Soto Zen style. They snapped again but this time in the grass so I couldn't find all the pieces. It was strange for a while going without my nenju, but I decided to make some one day with ebony, bone, and old palmwood beads and I've been using them for a while, wrapping them around my left wrist and occasionally using them for mantras. The Mantra I use is "sabbe satta sukhi hontu" or "may all beings be well". It's lovely to me and I usually use the beads humming it to myself as I wait places.

These are the ones I've made for myself.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/javierthebobman/10969990046/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/javierthebobman/10970080584/in/photostream/

It has a tassel now but I haven't updated the pictures.

Anyway, I love the act of making them and I've made ones for all of my immediate family for good luck.

If anyone is interested in having one, PM me and I can give you one. Just let me know the details. :3

Gassho,
Javier

[Taigu]

As you let go of the idea of this and that, of you and me, as you open up to the reality of one taste, you may pick up boulders , mountains and rivers and cities, you may roll under your fingers planets and suns, give the wheels of galaxies another spin, you may stretch to beyond and find yourself right here,
right now.

Gassho

T.

[Ishin]

Hi all

I now have mala bead dukkha.

But seriously thank you for an interesting informative discussion.

Gassho
C

[Daitetsu]

As you let go of the idea of this and that, of you and me, as you open up to the reality of one taste, you way pick up boulders , mountains and rivers and cities, you may roll under your fingers planets and suns, give the wheels of galaxies another spin, you may stretch to beyond and find yourself right here,
right now.

Beautiful as always, Taigu - thank you!



Gassho,

Timo

[Bobman4671]

As you let go of the idea of this and that, of you and me, as you open up to the reality of one taste, you way pick up boulders , mountains and rivers and cities, you may roll under your fingers planets and suns, give the wheels of galaxies another spin, you may stretch to beyond and find yourself right here,
right now.

Gassho

T.

Gorgeous teaching, Taigu. Thank you.

Hi all

I now have mala bead dukkha.

But seriously thank you for an interesting informative discussion.

Gassho
C

And Clark, I should mention that they're pay what you want. X3 Including the fantastic price of $0. I'll have them whether people want them or not and I'd love to give them to my dharma brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and cousins. C:

Gassho to all,

Javier

[Jishin]

Thank you Taigu. Your poetic teaching resonates deeply in my bones. :-)

Gassho, John

[Heion]

I like the thread. I have a nice juzu I got from a Shingon temple in LA. I tried reading more into Shingon, but I didn't find much. Nevertheless, I still wear the juzu.

Gassho

[Joyo]

Hi all

I now have mala bead dukkha.

But seriously thank you for an interesting informative discussion.

Gassho
C

Clark, I am thinking the exact same thing. Last summer my yoga instructor was selling mala beads that were made in India. Now I'm regretting that I did not buy some. I will definitely be on the lookout for some after reading about them here, great discussion.

Gassho,
Treena

[Ishin]

Gorgeous teaching, Taigu. Thank you.



And Clark, I should mention that they're pay what you want. X3 Including the fantastic price of $0. I'll have them whether people want them or not and I'd love to give them to my dharma brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and cousins. C:

Gassho to all,

Javier

Thanks Javier

All in good fun

Gassho
C