Gemstones in buddhism: setting the facts straight
Buddhism is a world religion, recognized by numerous peoples of different traditions. However, researchers have defined Buddhism in quite different ways — as a religion, philosophy, ethical doctrine, cultural tradition, civilization, education, and as a "science of consciousness".
Buddhism emerged in the middle of the first millennium BC on the territory of India. The emergence of Buddhism is associated with the name of Prince Siddhartha Gautama. His father hid a lot from Gautama, the prince lived in luxury. Then he saw real life and had a real mental upheaval. All this shocked the prince and made him think about the fate of the people. He left the palace and his family, at age 29 he became a hermit, trying to find the meaning of life.
As a result of deep reflection, at the age of 35, he became the Buddha, the enlightened one. For the next 45 years, Buddha preached his teachings, which can be briefly summarized as the teaching of the four noble truths – suffering; thirst, the cause of suffering; nirvana, the cessation of suffering; and the Noble Eightfold Path, the path leading to the cessation of suffering.
Stones in Buddhism and the concept of them are extremely varied. Information about the use of crystals can be found in various texts and mantras relating to Buddhism.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF GEMSTONES IN BUDDHISM
Stones in Buddhism and the concept of them are extremely varied. Information about the use of crystals can be found in various texts and mantras relating to Buddhism. We will discuss the main stones that are mentioned in the teachings.
1. DIAMOND
First, the diamond is often mentioned. For example, Tibetan Buddhists depict the Queen of Heaven Vajravaraha as a diamond pig.
One can also call the diamond Dorje, a sacred weapon, a rod used in Tibetan Buddhism as a symbol of supreme power and justice. This symbolizes the active power of the male about the feminine. The Dorje diamond represents wisdom and compassion-based activity.
Dorje according to Vajrayana teachings suppresses all evil desires and passions.
The diamond has a powerful healing power for the human body and spirit and enhances the influence of other stones.
JEWELRY WITH GEMSTONES IMPORTANT IN BUDDHISM
2. RUBY
In addition to diamonds, rubies are mentioned in the teachings of Buddhism. The Chinese used these stones to pay homage to the Buddha. For Buddhists, the ruby is one of the most revered of all magical stones. Its main magical property is to give birth to an attraction to the great.
Indian magicians used to say that it can give unlimited power and exert an irresistible influence on people. At the same time, ruby enhances the feeling of unity with other people, generosity, and the ability to have compassion.
3. SAPPHIRE
Sapphire in Buddhism is a gemstone that promotes devotion, tranquility, happiness, serenity, and spiritual enlightenment. It can help find purpose in one's life, overcome all fears and depression, bring mental comfort, make one calm, strengthen prudence, and tame one's passions.
4. TURQUOISE
Semiprecious stones are also widely used by Buddhists. For example, turquoise. There is a legend connected with this stone, in which Buddha destroyed a monster with the help of magical turquoise.
In ancient times in China and Tibet, turquoise was used as amulets, and shamans worshipped and believed in its protective and spiritual properties. The main property of turquoise — to reconcile all hostile, to pacify quarrels, to establish peace in everything, to ward off unjustified anger and evil thoughts.
5. NEPHRITE
Jade has been called the stone of five virtues: chastity, courage, justice, modesty, and wisdom. For this reason, it has long been considered sacred.
This stone gives people a sense of gentleness, justice, the pursuit of knowledge, moderation in life, courage, and purity.
6. LAPIS LAZULI
In China, lapis lazuli was a symbol of good fortune, and rose quartz is associated with Guanyin, the goddess of mercy and peace; the stone reflects her wisdom.
Lapis lazuli was associated with Guanyin, the goddess of mercy and peace, and reflected her wisdom. It has been considered a stone of sincerity and friendliness. The deep blue color of lapis lazuli brings peace, helps one to get rid of depression, promotes tranquility, and develops intuition.
7. AMETHYST
Amethyst has long been considered a sacred stone for Buddhism. It is used by Buddhists to make rosaries and small beads for meditation. To use a prayer mala, one must touch each bead while reciting a specific mantra.
This stone endows a person with insight, quenches mental pain and anxiety, fills the aura with good intentions, and helps control evil thoughts.
8. QUARTZ
Quartz has also been and continues to be used extensively in Buddhism. It is also used in ancient times to help one reach enlightenment and to diagnose the cause of illness. It was considered a sacred stone with great power. Like amethyst, it is also used for making rosaries. Quartz is said to have healing properties and to attract love, luck, and success.
9. SMOKY QUARTZ
The smoky topaz was named the stone of Buddha for a reason: in India and Tibet, it is used for meditation because of its magical powers to enlighten and penetrate to the depths of consciousness. Smoky quartz is a stone of tranquility; it calms those who are too emotional, neutralizes anger, reduces irritation and stress, removes jealousy, resentment, and pride.
We can say that various precious and semi-precious stones are used in Buddhism.
These stones have been used in Buddhism throughout the history of this religion. Stones have been part of the Buddhist tradition through rituals and faith.
METALS IN BUDDHISM
Both gold and silver have meaning in Buddhism. It is also customary in this religion to call the seven jewels, which correlate with the highest spiritual values. There are different versions as to the content of this complex, but in the first place in almost all versions gold and silver are named, followed by minerals such as ruby, carnelian, emerald, lapis lazuli, and others. Gold in Buddhism represents light and illumination. The color gold is associated with the golden rays of the sun. In Buddhist culture, there are many statues of the Buddha made of pure gold.
Of course, we have named only the most famous and key minerals and metals for the practice of Buddhism. We suggest summarizing this information.
Table 1: Gemstones in their meanings in Buddhism
| Stone | Description |
|---|---|
| Diamond | Mentioned in the description of the Dorje diamond, it represents wisdom and activity based on compassion. Buddhists depict the Queen of Heaven Vajravaraha as a diamond pig. It has a powerful healing power for the human body and spirit and enhances the effects of other stones. |
| Rubin | One of the most revered magical stones in Buddhism. It gives birth to an attraction to the great. Can give unlimited power and exert an irresistible influence on people. It strengthens the sense of unity with other people, generosity, and the capacity for compassion. |
| Sapphire | Promotes devotion, tranquility, happiness, serenity, and spiritual enlightenment. |
| Turquoise | Has protective and spiritual properties. The main property of turquoise — to reconcile all hostile, to pacify quarrels, to establish peace in everything. |
| Nephrite | Symbol of good luck. It has long been considered a stone of sincerity and friendliness. |
| Lazurite | Symbol of good luck. It has long been considered a stone of sincerity and friendliness. |
| Rose Quartz | Associated with Guanyin, the goddess of mercy and peace, the stone reflects her wisdom. |
| Amethyst | Gives a person insight, extinguishes mental pain, anxiety. |
| Quartz | It helps in achieving enlightenment, and in ancient times it was used to recognize the causes of disease. |
| Smoky quartz | Stone of tranquility. Used for meditation because of its magical properties to enlighten, penetrate to the depths of consciousness. |
Table 2: Metals in their meanings in Buddhism
| Metal | Description |
|---|---|
| Silver | Silver, like gold, are parts of the seven jewels that correlate with the highest spiritual values. |
| Gold | It represents light and illumination. |
Kindly note that healing gemstone meanings are not prescriptions or healthcare information.
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