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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Indian Subcontinent: Himalayas: Pre 1900: Item # 1481166

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Dmitry Levit Asian Art
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3 Highland Park
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-875-8154

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19th century Chinese-Tibetan mala - Buddhist rosary consisting of 108 ivory beads with 4 larger stained red ivory ones that serve as spacers dividing the prayer beads into groups of 27 each. Traditionally Buddhist rosary of 108 even-sized beads is used for mantra recitation. The thread represents the continuity of the buddhadharma piercing the 108 worldly passions. The mantras are recited to accomplish the four karmas or enlightened activities of pacifying, enriching, magnetizing, and destroying. On completion of a full cycle of 108 mantras recitations, the mala is turned around and the next mantra cycle is counted in reversed order along the beads. The mala appears to be restrung recently, but the beads themselves are old, with wonderful warm patina from handling. Length when stretched is 13 inches (without tassel), total length 26 inches, average jadeite bead diameter is 6.5 mm. Fits nicely around a neck or a wrist, very pleasant to the touch, good object for a scholar’s desk or a practicing Buddhist.