{"product_id":"green-onyx-formal-bracelet-soto-zen-october","title":"Green Onyx Formal Prayer Beads Bracelet – Soto Zen Sect (October Birthstone)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGreen Onyx 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 October's birthstone, green onyx, 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 Green Onyx, the October Birthstone\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnyx has long been regarded as a protective stone, used since ancient times as a talisman to ward off evil. It is said to dispel negative thoughts, bring clarity of judgment, and grant patience and endurance — a good match for anyone working toward a goal. Its soft, fresh green tone carries both a calm and a vibrant quality suited to any age, and the tassel on this piece is finished in a matching willow-green tone.\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: 633v064000000\u003cbr\u003eParent Bead (Oyadama): Approx. 0.39 in (1.0 cm) – Green Onyx\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) – Green Onyx\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":48174466597101,"sku":"633v064000000","price":107.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/3003\/7997\/files\/633v064000000_1.jpg?v=1790737104","url":"https:\/\/shop.kohgen.com\/products\/green-onyx-formal-bracelet-soto-zen-october","provider":"Kohgen","version":"1.0","type":"link"}