Qing Dynasty Tibetan-style prayer beads made from fossilized coral transformed into mountain jade. Tibet is one of the earliest sources of coral fossils. Millions of years ago, tectonic movements transformed the vast ocean into land, giving rise to the Tibetan Plateau, where coral fossils once buried deep beneath the sea were uplifted alongside the landmass. Over time, the snowmelt and erosion exposed these remarkable treasures, which were then discovered by Tibetan devotees. The coral fossils weathered by snowmelt on the plateau are polished by natural sand, resulting in smooth and rounded specimens known as mountain jade coral. As one of the seven treasures of Buddhism, coral is considered genuine only when it originates from the mountains, free from any harm to living beings as it is a fossil. Revered for its pure white color, it holds special significance in Vajrayana Buddhism, particularly in the 'Four Dharmas of Vajra Recitation' practice, also known as the 'Pacification of Calamities' method, where white coral prayer beads are commonly used. These meticulously crafted coral prayer beads are elegantly white and exude a serene simplicity. Nowadays, authentic mountain jade coral is increasingly rare.
This strand of prayer beads comprises a perfect 108 beads, finely textured, intact in form, and smoothly polished, emanating a radiant porcelain-like luster accumulated over the years. Many of the beads on the prayer beads feature six mantra points, crafted in a unique manner where the mantra points are not uniformly distributed on each bead. This prayer bead strand is passed down from one of the largest monasteries in the Ali region, the Sangzhe Rabten Monastery, boasting a well-organized and highly esteemed lineage.
