{"product_id":"striped-agate-formal-bracelet-nichiren-august","title":"Striped Agate Formal Prayer Beads Bracelet – Nichiren Sect (August Birthstone)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eStriped Agate Birthstone Bracelet – Formal Nichiren Sect Prayer Beads\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis one-of-a-kind piece pairs the star-and-moon bodhi seed with August's birthstone, striped agate (sardonyx), in the formal style of the Nichiren (Hokke) 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 Striped Agate, the August Birthstone\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eStriped agate (sardonyx) is formed from tightly packed clusters of tiny quartz crystals, giving it a distinctive banded appearance. Its vivid orange and white stripes are eye-catching, and for this piece the tassels were finished in a soft ash-pink to complement the stone's rich coloring. Striped agate is said to symbolize marital happiness and is believed to bring good encounters to those who are single, making it a stone associated with love. It is said to bring happiness and good fortune in marriage, fostering harmony between husband and wife while still allowing each person to live true to their own individuality, surrounded by a warm family. It also makes a lovely gift for anyone born in August.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Nichiren Sect Formal Style\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eItem Number: 633v048000000\u003cbr\u003eParent Bead (Oyadama): Approx. 0.39 in (1.0 cm) – Striped Agate\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) – Striped Agate\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":48174469578989,"sku":"633v048000000","price":294.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/3003\/7997\/files\/633v048000000_1.jpg?v=1790737104","url":"https:\/\/shop.kohgen.com\/products\/striped-agate-formal-bracelet-nichiren-august","provider":"Kohgen","version":"1.0","type":"link"}