Agarwood 108 Bead Buddhist Rosary

Agarwood 108 Bead Buddhist Rosary
Origin: Malaysia

Agarwood is a solid resinous heartwood that forms in Aquilaria and certain other trees. It is formed from a defensive response of the tree to damage and infection, such as from lightning strikes, harsh winds, or insect attacks. This process can take decades or even centuries to complete, resulting in the unique aromatic resin.

Wearing an agarwood bracelet or mala can release its refreshing and distinctive fragrance through body heat, helping to relax the body and mind, relieve stress, and leave one feeling rejuvenated. Agarwood has benefits such as aiding sleep, promoting blood circulation, relieving pain, settling the stomach, and beautifying the skin.

The Buddhist rosary is made of 108 agarwood beads, representing the 108 afflictions or delusions in the Ten Realms of Existence. The Ten Realms include the six realms of the deluded - hell, hungry ghosts, animals, asuras, humans, and devas - as well as the four realms of the enlightened - shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and buddhas.

The 108 beads symbolize the aspiration to transcend the 108 afflictions. The 108 afflictions are generally explained as the three feelings (pleasant, unpleasant, neutral) of the six sense bases (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, mind), totaling 18, which when multiplied by the three time periods (past, present, future) equal 108 afflictions. Each bead represents a mantra or scripture. During meditation and prayer, Buddhists gently slide each bead, which helps maintain focus and a meditative state. The fragrance of the agarwood itself can also aid the meditator in entering a meditative state and relieving stress and anxiety.