Amethyst Formal Prayer Beads Bracelet – Rinzai Zen Sect (February Birthstone)

Amethyst Birthstone Bracelet – Formal Rinzai Zen 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 Rinzai Zen 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 mind and restore a sense of peaceful composure, and its beauty has captivated many admirers over the years. Long associated with maintaining a clear, level head, it has traditionally been a favorite among professionals such as lawyers and doctors. Its muted, dignified color suits any age, and purple blends naturally into formal attire without standing out, giving a composed, refined impression.

About the Rinzai Zen Sect Formal Style

This bracelet follows the formal prayer bead design of the Rinzai Zen sect, based on a standard count of 108 beads. Even among temple parishioners, few own a set of the formal prayer beads, and practitioners do not hold them during zazen seated meditation. The design closely resembles Soto Zen prayer beads but without the metal ring. When held, the strand is doubled and looped over the four fingers of the left hand, with the tassel hanging down, while the hands are pressed together in prayer.

Product Specifications

Item Number: 633v028000000
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.