Artwork Details

Title
Coral Prayer Beads
Dimensions
24 1/8 × 2 1/2 × 1 in.
Medium
Coral, turquoise, jade, dzi, clay and silk
Origin
Tibet
Classification(s)
ritual objects
Date
19th century
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Gift of Anne Breckenridge Dorsey
Object number
C2012.6.1
Published references
* Arts of Asia, 34 no. 4 (July-August, 2004) "Prayer Beads: In Asian Buddhist Cultures" by Anne Breckenridge Dorsey. Fig. 3.

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Merit

Concepts

In Buddhism merit is accumulated through engaging in positive actions that lead to positive results, such as better rebirths. Buddhists gain merit by making offerings, donating to those in need, reciting mantras, and other good deeds.

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Tantrism

Concepts

A religious movement that originated in India around the fifth to seventh century with sacred writings and esoteric teachings and practices transmitted from teacher to student through initiation. These remain an important part of Hinduism and Buddhism today. 

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Meditation

Concepts

A contemplative practice in which a person uses concentration and visualization to achieve aims such as transforming the mind and generating feelings of compassion. Techniques include focusing on breathing or visualizing oneself as a deity.

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Tibetan Regions

Region

Today, Tibetans primarily inhabit the Tibetan Plateau, situated between the Himalayan mountain range and the Indian subcontinent to the west, Chinese cultural regions to the east, and Mongolian cultural regions to the northeast. During the 7th to 9th century, Tibetan rulers expanded their empire across Central Asia, and established Buddhism as the state religion.

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