{"product_id":"cut-crystal-formal-bracelet-soto-zen-april","title":"Cut Crystal Formal Prayer Beads Bracelet – Soto Zen Sect (April Birthstone)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eCut Crystal Birthstone Bracelet – Formal Soto Zen Sect Prayer Beads\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis one-of-a-kind piece pairs the star-and-moon bodhi seed with April's birthstone, faceted cut crystal quartz, in the formal style of the Soto Zen sect — part of Kohgen Ojuzukan's original Sect \u0026amp; Birthstone series.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Materials\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAbout Cut Crystal, the April Birthstone\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCrystal quartz remains one of the most consistently popular gemstones for bracelets. It is one of the oldest natural stones cherished by people, historically used in charms and divination, and it is still believed today to have a soothing, healing quality — which is part of why it remains a favorite stone in fortune-telling. The faceted 'kiriko' cut used here catches the light beautifully from every angle, giving endless sparkle. This is a piece any crystal lover will enjoy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Soto Zen Sect Formal Style\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis bracelet follows the formal prayer bead design of the Soto Zen sect. Like Rinzai Zen prayer beads, the formal Soto Zen strand is often carried by temple priests. Its shape closely resembles Rinzai Zen beads, but a distinguishing feature of Soto Zen prayer beads is a metal ring threaded onto the strand. The reason for the ring is not fully known, though one theory holds that it represents Bodhidharma (Daruma).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eItem Number: 633v057000000\u003cbr\u003eParent Bead (Oyadama): Approx. 0.39 in (1.0 cm) – Cut Crystal\u003cbr\u003eMain Beads (Shudama): Approx. 0.28 in × 0.12 in thick (0.7 cm × 0.3 cm) – Star-and-Moon Bodhi Seed\u003cbr\u003eAccent Beads (Yotenma, ×4): Approx. 0.16 in (0.4 cm) – Cut Crystal\u003cbr\u003eInner Diameter: Approx. 6.69 in (17.0 cm)\u003cbr\u003eNote: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kohgen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48174467285229,"sku":"633v057000000","price":154.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/3003\/7997\/files\/633v057000000_1.jpg?v=1790737469","url":"https:\/\/shop.kohgen.com\/products\/cut-crystal-formal-bracelet-soto-zen-april","provider":"Kohgen","version":"1.0","type":"link"}