The long mother of pearl strand of 108 beads has the characteristic two counters usually attached to the prayer beads of Tibetan Buddhists. Its exquisite red coral separator beads and ivory guru bead are complemented by red silk tassels and testify to the refined aesthetic preferences of its previous owner, a princess of Derge in eastern Tibet.

Artwork Details

Title
Mother of Pearl Prayer Beads
Dimensions
21 3/4 × 2 1/8 × 1/2 in.
Medium
Mother of pearl, coral, ivory, silver alloy, copper alloy
Origin
Possibly Derge, Kham Province, Eastern Tibet
Classification(s)
ritual objects
Date
early 19th century
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Gift of Anne Breckenridge Dorsey
Object number
C2012.6.42
Published references
* Arts of Asia, 34 no. 4 (July-August, 2004) "Prayer Beads: In Asian Buddhist Cultures" by Anne Breckenridge Dorsey. Fig. 6. * Karen Lucic. Embodying Compassion in Buddhist Art: Image, Pilgrimage, Practice. (Poughkeepsie, New York: The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, 2015). Cat. 27; Pp. 65, 69.

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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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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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