Difference between revisions of "Wish-granting jewel"
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| − | + | [[wish-granting jewel]] | |
| − | [如意宝珠] (Skt, [[Pali]] [[chintamani]]; Jpn nyoi-hoju ) | + | [[如意宝珠]] (Skt, [[Pali]] [[chintamani]]; Jpn [[nyoi-hoju]] ) |
A [[jewel]] said to have the [[power]] to produce whatever one [[desires]]. It [[symbolizes]] the [[virtue]] and [[power]] of the [[Buddha]] and the [[Buddhist scriptures]]. The [[Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom]] states that this [[jewel]] can be obtained from the {{Wiki|head}} of a [[dragon king]], and another reference in the same work describes it as a transmutation of the [[Buddha's relics]]. According to the Ocean of [[Meditation]] on the [[Buddha]] [[Sutra]], it is a transmutation of the [[heart]] of the giant [[garuda]] {{Wiki|bird}}, while the Storehouse of Various [[Treasures]] [[Sutra]] says it is found in the {{Wiki|head}} of the great {{Wiki|fish}} called [[makara]]. | A [[jewel]] said to have the [[power]] to produce whatever one [[desires]]. It [[symbolizes]] the [[virtue]] and [[power]] of the [[Buddha]] and the [[Buddhist scriptures]]. The [[Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom]] states that this [[jewel]] can be obtained from the {{Wiki|head}} of a [[dragon king]], and another reference in the same work describes it as a transmutation of the [[Buddha's relics]]. According to the Ocean of [[Meditation]] on the [[Buddha]] [[Sutra]], it is a transmutation of the [[heart]] of the giant [[garuda]] {{Wiki|bird}}, while the Storehouse of Various [[Treasures]] [[Sutra]] says it is found in the {{Wiki|head}} of the great {{Wiki|fish}} called [[makara]]. | ||
| − | [[Cintāmaṇi]] ([[Sanskrit]]; {{Wiki|Devanagari}}: चिन्तामणि) also spelled as [[Chintamani]] (or the [[Chintamani]] Stone) is a [[wish-fulfilling jewel]] within both [[Hindu]] and [[Buddhist traditions]], equivalent to the philosopher's stone (Paras Pathar) in {{Wiki|Western}} [[alchemy]]. | + | [[Cintāmaṇi]] ([[Sanskrit]]; {{Wiki|Devanagari}}: [[चिन्तामणि]]) also spelled as [[Chintamani]] (or the [[Chintamani]] Stone) is a [[wish-fulfilling jewel]] within both [[Hindu]] and [[Buddhist traditions]], {{Wiki|equivalent}} to the philosopher's stone (Paras Pathar) in {{Wiki|Western}} [[alchemy]]. |
| − | In [[Buddhism]] it is held by the [[bodhisattvas]], [[Avalokiteshvara]] and [[Ksitigarbha]]. It is also seen carried upon the back of the [[Lung ta]] ([[wind]] [[horse]]) which is depicted on [[Tibetan]] [[prayer flags]]. By reciting the [[Dharani of Cintamani]], [[Buddhist tradition]] maintains that one attains the [[Wisdom]] of [[Buddha]], able to understand the [[truth]] of the [[Buddha]], and turn [[afflictions]] into [[Bodhi]]. It is said to allow one to see the {{Wiki|Holy}} Retinue of [[Amitabha]] and assembly upon one's deathbed. In [[Tibetan Buddhist]] [[tradition]] the [[Chintamani]] is sometimes depicted as a luminous {{Wiki|pearl}} and is in the possession of several of different [[forms]] of the [[Buddha]]. | + | In [[Buddhism]] it is held by the [[bodhisattvas]], [[Avalokiteshvara]] and [[Ksitigarbha]]. It is also seen carried upon the back of the [[Lung ta]] ([[wind]] [[horse]]) which is depicted on [[Tibetan]] [[prayer flags]]. By reciting the [[Dharani]] of [[Cintamani]], [[Buddhist tradition]] maintains that one attains the [[Wisdom]] of [[Buddha]], able to understand the [[truth]] of the [[Buddha]], and turn [[afflictions]] into [[Bodhi]]. It is said to allow one to see the {{Wiki|Holy}} Retinue of [[Amitabha]] and assembly upon one's deathbed. In [[Tibetan Buddhist]] [[tradition]] the [[Chintamani]] is sometimes depicted as a luminous {{Wiki|pearl}} and is in the possession of several of different [[forms]] of the [[Buddha]]. |
Within [[Hinduism]] it is connected with the [[gods]], [[Vishnu]] and [[Ganesha]]. In [[Hindu]] [[tradition]] it is often depicted as a fabulous [[jewel]] in the possession of the [[Naga king]] or as on the forehead of the [[Makara]]. The {{Wiki|Yoga Vasistha}}, originally written in the 10th century AD, contains a story about the [[cintamani]]. | Within [[Hinduism]] it is connected with the [[gods]], [[Vishnu]] and [[Ganesha]]. In [[Hindu]] [[tradition]] it is often depicted as a fabulous [[jewel]] in the possession of the [[Naga king]] or as on the forehead of the [[Makara]]. The {{Wiki|Yoga Vasistha}}, originally written in the 10th century AD, contains a story about the [[cintamani]]. | ||
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{{Wiki|Nomenclature}}, {{Wiki|orthography}} and {{Wiki|etymology}} | {{Wiki|Nomenclature}}, {{Wiki|orthography}} and {{Wiki|etymology}} | ||
[[File:London-A-protes.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:London-A-protes.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | '''[[Cintāmaṇi]]''' ([[Sanskrit]]; {{Wiki|Devanagari}}: चिन्तामणि): 'Wish-Fulfilling [[Gem]]' ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|ཡིད་བཞིན་ནོརྦུ}}, Wylie: yid bzhin norbu) | + | '''[[Cintāmaṇi]]''' ([[Sanskrit]]; {{Wiki|Devanagari}}: [[चिन्तामणि]]): 'Wish-Fulfilling [[Gem]]' ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[ཡིད་བཞིན་ནོརྦུ]]}}, Wylie: [[yid bzhin norbu]]) |
| − | The mani ([[jewel]]) is translated in {{Wiki|Chinese}} ruyi or ruyizhu 如意珠 "as one wishes [[jewel]]" or ruyibaozhu 如意寶珠 "as one wishes [[precious]] [[jewel]]", and is pronounced in [[Japanese]] nyoi-hōju or nyoi-hōshu 如意宝珠. | + | The mani ([[jewel]]) is translated in {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[ruyi]] or [[ruyizhu]] [[如意珠]] "as one wishes [[jewel]]" or [[ruyibaozhu]] [[如意寶珠]] "as one wishes [[precious]] [[jewel]]", and is pronounced in [[Japanese]] [[nyoi-hōju]] or [[nyoi-hōshu]] [[如意宝珠]]. |
{{Wiki|History}} | {{Wiki|History}} | ||
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In [[Buddhism]] the [[Chintamani]] is said to be one of four [[relics]] that came in a {{Wiki|chest}} that fell from the sky (many [[terma]] fell from the sky in caskets) during the reign of [[king]] Lha [[Thothori Nyantsen]] of [[Tibet]]. Though the [[king]] did not understand the purpose of the [[objects]], he kept them in a position of reverence. Several years later, two mysterious strangers appeared at the court of the [[king]], explaining the four [[relics]], which included the [[Buddha's]] [[bowl]] (possibly a [[Singing Bowl]]) and a [[mani stone]] with the [[Om Mani Padme Hum]] [[mantra]] inscribed on it. These few [[objects]] were the bringers of the [[Dharma]] to [[Tibet]]. | In [[Buddhism]] the [[Chintamani]] is said to be one of four [[relics]] that came in a {{Wiki|chest}} that fell from the sky (many [[terma]] fell from the sky in caskets) during the reign of [[king]] Lha [[Thothori Nyantsen]] of [[Tibet]]. Though the [[king]] did not understand the purpose of the [[objects]], he kept them in a position of reverence. Several years later, two mysterious strangers appeared at the court of the [[king]], explaining the four [[relics]], which included the [[Buddha's]] [[bowl]] (possibly a [[Singing Bowl]]) and a [[mani stone]] with the [[Om Mani Padme Hum]] [[mantra]] inscribed on it. These few [[objects]] were the bringers of the [[Dharma]] to [[Tibet]]. | ||
| − | The Digital {{Wiki|Dictionary}} of [[Buddhism's]] ruyizhu entry says: | + | The Digital {{Wiki|Dictionary}} of [[Buddhism's]] [[ruyizhu]] entry says: |
| − | A maṇi-jewel; [[magical]] [[jewel]], which [[manifests]] whatever one wishes for (Skt. [[maṇi]], cintā-maṇi, cintāmaṇi-ratna). According to one's [[desires]], [[treasures]], clothing and [[food]] can be [[manifested]], while [[sickness]] and [[suffering]] can be removed, [[water]] can be [[purified]], etc. It is a {{Wiki|metaphor}} for the teachings and [[virtues]] of the [[Buddha]]. … Said to be obtained from the dragon-king of the sea, or the {{Wiki|head}} of the great {{Wiki|fish}}, [[Makara]], or the [[relics]] of a [[Buddha]]. | + | A maṇi-jewel; [[magical]] [[jewel]], which [[manifests]] whatever one wishes for (Skt. [[maṇi]], [[cintā-maṇi]], [[cintāmaṇi-ratna]]). According to one's [[desires]], [[treasures]], clothing and [[food]] can be [[manifested]], while [[sickness]] and [[suffering]] can be removed, [[water]] can be [[purified]], etc. It is a {{Wiki|metaphor}} for the teachings and [[virtues]] of the [[Buddha]]. … Said to be obtained from the dragon-king of the sea, or the {{Wiki|head}} of the great {{Wiki|fish}}, [[Makara]], or the [[relics]] of a [[Buddha]]. |
The Kintamani mountainous region in Bali was named after the [[Cintamani]]. | The Kintamani mountainous region in Bali was named after the [[Cintamani]]. | ||
Revision as of 03:34, 10 November 2013
wish-granting jewel
如意宝珠 (Skt, Pali chintamani; Jpn nyoi-hoju )
A jewel said to have the power to produce whatever one desires. It symbolizes the virtue and power of the Buddha and the Buddhist scriptures. The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom states that this jewel can be obtained from the head of a dragon king, and another reference in the same work describes it as a transmutation of the Buddha's relics. According to the Ocean of Meditation on the Buddha Sutra, it is a transmutation of the heart of the giant garuda bird, while the Storehouse of Various Treasures Sutra says it is found in the head of the great fish called makara.
Cintāmaṇi (Sanskrit; Devanagari: चिन्तामणि) also spelled as Chintamani (or the Chintamani Stone) is a wish-fulfilling jewel within both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, equivalent to the philosopher's stone (Paras Pathar) in Western alchemy.
In Buddhism it is held by the bodhisattvas, Avalokiteshvara and Ksitigarbha. It is also seen carried upon the back of the Lung ta (wind horse) which is depicted on Tibetan prayer flags. By reciting the Dharani of Cintamani, Buddhist tradition maintains that one attains the Wisdom of Buddha, able to understand the truth of the Buddha, and turn afflictions into Bodhi. It is said to allow one to see the Holy Retinue of Amitabha and assembly upon one's deathbed. In Tibetan Buddhist tradition the Chintamani is sometimes depicted as a luminous pearl and is in the possession of several of different forms of the Buddha.
Within Hinduism it is connected with the gods, Vishnu and Ganesha. In Hindu tradition it is often depicted as a fabulous jewel in the possession of the Naga king or as on the forehead of the Makara. The Yoga Vasistha, originally written in the 10th century AD, contains a story about the cintamani.
Nomenclature, orthography and etymology
Cintāmaṇi (Sanskrit; Devanagari: चिन्तामणि): 'Wish-Fulfilling Gem' (Tibetan: ཡིད་བཞིན་ནོརྦུ, Wylie: yid bzhin norbu)
The mani (jewel) is translated in Chinese ruyi or ruyizhu 如意珠 "as one wishes jewel" or ruyibaozhu 如意寶珠 "as one wishes precious jewel", and is pronounced in Japanese nyoi-hōju or nyoi-hōshu 如意宝珠.
History
In Buddhism the Chintamani is said to be one of four relics that came in a chest that fell from the sky (many terma fell from the sky in caskets) during the reign of king Lha Thothori Nyantsen of Tibet. Though the king did not understand the purpose of the objects, he kept them in a position of reverence. Several years later, two mysterious strangers appeared at the court of the king, explaining the four relics, which included the Buddha's bowl (possibly a Singing Bowl) and a mani stone with the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra inscribed on it. These few objects were the bringers of the Dharma to Tibet.
The Digital Dictionary of Buddhism's ruyizhu entry says:
A maṇi-jewel; magical jewel, which manifests whatever one wishes for (Skt. maṇi, cintā-maṇi, cintāmaṇi-ratna). According to one's desires, treasures, clothing and food can be manifested, while sickness and suffering can be removed, water can be purified, etc. It is a metaphor for the teachings and virtues of the Buddha. … Said to be obtained from the dragon-king of the sea, or the head of the great fish, Makara, or the relics of a Buddha.
The Kintamani mountainous region in Bali was named after the Cintamani.
Popular culture
The Cintamani Stone is the subject of Dragon Ball and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. In the former, the concept is used as seven mystical orbs known as Dragon Balls which when gathered together summon an Eternal Dragon capable of granting almost any wish, making them the target of several villains who desire eternal life or power over the universe. In the latter, it is revealed that it is not in fact a jewel but amber, fossilized resin from the Tree of Life which grants nigh invulnerability to those who use it, but at a terrible price, it turns the users into brutish, blue, simple-minded savages after long term exposure.
