Tibet
20th century
Tibet
20th century
This Tibetan strand (trengwa) has a hundred turquoise disks that make a shorter strand of prayer beads. Judging from the number of the beads and the conch shell separator beads, the practice for which it was used was probably related to pacification. Alternatively the number of beads might not be symbolic but instead the round number was chosen to make the counting of accumulated mantras easier. This highly personalized strand shows the peculiar taste of its previous owner, who added items such as random beads and plastic buttons to one of its counters as adornments.
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.
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.
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.
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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