Green Tara with Colored Glaze Beads Thangka Pendant Necklace

Green Tara Colored Glaze 108 Mercy Chain: An In-Depth Cultural and Spiritual Analysis

I. Religious Symbolism & Core Meaning

• Green Tara (Tāra) as the Embodiment of Merciful Action:
  The chain is consecrated to Green Tara, the bodhisattva of compassionate deliverance, who emerged from Avalokiteshvara’s tears to rescue beings from suffering. Her green hue symbolizes:
  • The vitality of enlightenment like new growth
  • Nurturing mercy that transcends dualistic thinking
  • Immediate response to prayers, as described in the Tara Sahasranama (Hymns of Tara’s 1,000 Names).
• 108 Beads: A Sacred Count of Karmic Transformation:
  The 108 beads represent:
  • 108 earthly desires to transform into virtues
  • 108 forms of Tara’s merciful emanations across realms
  • The cycle of samsara reimagined as a path to liberation
• Colored Glaze: The Gem of Spiritual Clarity:
  Colored glaze (Chinese: 琉璃；Sanskrit: vaidurya) is revered for:
  • Its translucent beauty, symbolizing the "clear mind" of enlightenment
  • Historical use in Buddhist art as a substitute for precious gems, embodying the principle that "form is emptiness"
  • Ability to refract light, representing the multifaceted nature of mercy

• Central Medallion Design:
  The hand-carved Green Tara medallion depicts:
  • Three eyes (pierce through ignorance)
  • Left hand in varada mudra (granting wishes) with an utpala lotus
  • Right hand in abhaya mudra (dispelling fear) at chest level
  • Seated on a moon-lotus throne, right leg extended in readiness to act
• Glaze Bead Symbolism:
  Each bead’s color and patterns signify:
  • Emerald green base: Tara’s inherent compassion
  • Gold flecks or veins: Radiance of wisdom
  • Translucent areas: Emptiness of self-nature
• Mantra Engravings:
  Key beads are inscribed with Green Tara’s core mantra:
  "Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svāhā"
  Chanting this invokes her blessings to:
  • Alleviate suffering in oneself and others
  • Cultivate selfless mercy without attachment
  • Remove obstacles to spiritual growth

II. Artistic Features & Technical Craftsmanship

• Masterful Glaze Crafting: Following secret techniques from the Yuan Dynasty Glaze Codex, artisans:
  • Mix quartz, lead oxide, and mineral pigments (malachite, azurite)
  • Fire beads at 800–1,000°C for translucency and durability
• Metallic Accents: Silver or copper spacers often feature:
  • Lotus motifs (purity of mercy)
  • Eight Auspicious Symbols (e.g., endless knot for unbroken compassion)
  • Mantras in Uchen script (Tibetan calligraphy)
• Artisan Signatures: Authentic pieces bear the seal of Regong masters (e.g., Tsering Wangmo lineage), hand-stamped on the medallion or clasp.

• Ancient Regong Style: Opaque beads with rustic textures, favored by wandering yogis.
• Imperial Court Style: Translucent beads with gold inlay, resembling Ming Dynasty palace artifacts.
• Vajrayana Ritual Version: Includes a "guru bead" with a three-dimensional Tara face, flanked by miniature lotus charms.

III. Ritual Practice & Spiritual Benefits

• Mantra Recitation & Mercy Yoga:
  Hold the chain with the right hand, using the thumb to count mantras (avoiding the little finger). Traditional practices include:
  • 108 recitations at dawn to start the day with altruism
  • 1,080 recitations during lunar eclipses for profound karmic purification
• Energetic Activation:
  Wearing the chain around the neck (near the throat chakra) is said to:
  • Balance the heart wind (snying rlung) to foster empathy
  • Create a "mercy field" that neutralizes negative intentions
  • Awaken the wearer’s innate ability to help others
• Etiquette & Taboos:
  • Never expose the chain to harsh chemicals (damages its energetic field)
  • Remove before engaging in harmful speech or actions
  • Clean monthly with Tibetan incense smoke and rose water (blessed by a lama)

• Emotional Healing: Practitioners report reduced anger and increased patience.
• Interpersonal Harmony: The chain is believed to enhance communication and understanding in relationships.
• Karmic Merit: Wearing it accumulates merit for rebirth in the Pure Land, as per the Tara Dhyanasutra.

IV. Cultural Legacy & Collectible Value

• Origins in Tang-Song Dynasty China:
  Colored glaze beads were introduced to Tibet via the Silk Road in the 8th century, with early Tara chains found in the Potala Palace’s Tang Dynasty relics.
• Regong’s Golden Age:
  During the Ming-Qing dynasties, Regong artisans perfected glaze techniques for Tibetan monasteries, with chains featuring in the Dalai Lama’s ceremonial regalia.
• Modern Revival:
  Post-2018, global interest in spiritual art has spurred a resurgence, with contemporary masters like Lobsang Choedron blending traditional colors with modern design.

• Vintage Regong glaze chains (pre-1950) command $3,000–$18,000 at auction, while contemporary masterpieces start at $800.
• Rare pieces with Ming Dynasty-style gold-inlaid beads have seen 25% annual value appreciation since 2022, driven by collectors of Asian spiritual art.

Conclusion

• Religious Core: Tara’s iconography and glaze’s translucent beauty create a conduit for awakening selfless mercy.
• Artistic Mastery: Regong’s glaze crafting, carving, and mantra engraving reflect 1,200+ years of Sino-Tibetan Buddhist art.
• Energetic Circuit: The 108 beads form a karmic purification cycle, while the Tara medallion anchors the wearer in the wisdom of merciful action.

More than just jewelry, at Zensymbols, we view it as a way of life; Accepting life's contrasts, nourishing one's spirit; Inspiring one's thoughts; revitalizing the body; Brightening your existence.

Our Founder

When I was young, I came across an article about Tibet, and that was the starting point for me to know about Tibet.

The fascinating the snow-covered plateau, the distressing poor Tibetan life, and the devout faith of Tibetans make myself yearn for the pure and full spiritual power of the plateau.

And so, the adventure begins

Over the past four years, I have traveled to my dream serendipity Tibet numerous times. During one spiritual journeys after another, not only did I see picturesque scenery, kind Tibetans, sacred temples, but also found my deepest self. By chance, an esteemed senior gave me a Tibetan name representing Lotus - Pema. I would like to introduce myself thereafter. My love for Tibet transcends the place where I was born and any city I live in.I poured my love for Tibet into an online website dedicated to supporting Tibetan artists and the poor in the region.

We appreciate that you are a part of this path of good karma.

Pedma

Founder

 

Our mission

• Our mission at Zensymbols is to make carefully chosen handmade items available to a worldwide audience while igniting dialogue about preserving traditional crafts.

• We provide authentic Dharma products of the highest caliber to encourage your spiritual practice and deliver spiritual jewelry to enhance your life. Tracing our humble roots to our extensive travel and spiritual experience with Tibetan cultures, we have seen how powerful spiritual jewelry and amulets can be.

• Buddha Stones is committed to preserving significant meaningful items that promote harmony, joy, and present-moment mindfulness. The symbols on the Buddha Stones are meant to represent faith, protection, and healing. They bring good luck to you and your loved ones since they have the power to draw in good energies and drive away bad ones.

• At Zensymbols shop, we conduct research to find new Buddha-related goods and categories that are appropriate for your family's daily needs. We must provide you with the best value for your money so that each time you purchase with us, you get a better deal than you would elsewhere.

• We sincerely believe that honesty and sincerity are necessary to satisfy customers completely. We are happy to work with individuals who respect action-based leadership and share our values. We want you to feel STRONG, ENLIGHTENED, CONFIDENT, OPTIMISTIC, and AMAZING.

 

Our Design

• Zensymbols is happy to collaborate with creatives worldwide to produce goods that uplift and inspire. The craft traditions of locations like Tibet, Nepal, China, Thailand, and other parts of the world are the source of many of our creations. Every year, we visit places like Tibet, Nepal, etc., to build relationships with artisans and ensure our sustainable and environmentally responsible sourcing practices.

• We speak with the artists directly. Zensymbols continues to expand and fortify our network of regional artists with hard work in Tibet and Nepal. We want to create a network online that supports Tibetans, Nepalis, and others who need financial assistance for their trade-in addition to growing our client base.

 
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