Amethyst Formal Prayer Beads Bracelet – Nichiren Sect (February Birthstone)

Amethyst Birthstone Bracelet – Formal Nichiren Sect Prayer Beads

This one-of-a-kind piece pairs the star-and-moon bodhi seed with February's birthstone, amethyst, in the formal style of the Nichiren (Hokke) sect — part of Kohgen Ojuzukan's original Sect & Birthstone series.

About the Materials

The main beads are made from star-and-moon bodhi seeds (hoshizuki bodaiju) sourced from Hainan Island, China — considered the finest grade available. The countless small black flecks on each seed are said to resemble stars in a night sky, while the single larger mark left by the stem is likened to the moon, together evoking the universe, which has long been regarded in Buddhism as the realm of the Buddha. The bodhi tree is also cherished as the very tree beneath which Shakyamuni Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. (Many other types of bodhi seed are also used in prayer beads, including kongo, tengen, kokuryu, hogan, maya, kogan, gogan, and antique star-and-moon bodhi.)

About Amethyst, the February Birthstone

Amethyst is well known as a stone said to calm the spirit and restore a sense of composure, and its beauty has captivated countless admirers over the years. As February's birthstone, amethyst has long been said to help its wearer stay clear-headed and level-tempered, making it especially popular among professionals such as lawyers and doctors. Its calm, understated color suits wearers of any age, and purple has the quality of blending quietly into formal wear without standing out, lending a composed, refined impression.

About the Nichiren Sect Formal Style

This bracelet follows the formal prayer bead design of the Nichiren (Hokke) sect. Three tassels are attached to one side of the parent bead, used for keeping count while chanting the sect's core invocation (Namu Myoho Renge Kyo), with 10 counting beads attached. Nichiren-sect practitioners often carry a full formal set. The design features five tassels in total, which various traditions say represent the human body.

Product Specifications

Item Number: 633v042000000
Parent Bead (Oyadama): Approx. 0.39 in (1.0 cm) – Amethyst
Main Beads (Shudama): Approx. 0.28 in × 0.12 in thick (0.7 cm × 0.3 cm) – Star-and-Moon Bodhi Seed
Accent Beads (Yotenma, ×4): Approx. 0.16 in (0.4 cm) – Amethyst
Inner Diameter: Approx. 6.69 in (17.0 cm)
Note: As each bracelet is handcrafted from natural gemstone and bodhi seed, the exact grain and shade may vary slightly from the images shown. This is a one-of-a-kind piece.