Gemstones and crystals have always attracted the human mind, not because of their beauty, but because of the symbolic and spiritual meanings which people project on them. Precious stones are part of worship art, meditation, ritual adornment, and philosophical symbolism in the Buddhist cultures and commonly become aids on the way to clarity, compassion, and inner peace. Although Buddhism believes that supreme healing is achieved through mind change and alleviation of suffering through wisdom and living an ethical life, gemstones can be used as reminders of these ideals.
Today, we are going to go through 10 healing stones, their spiritual connections, and how they have been perceived by Buddhist Tradition.
Turquoise Stone
Origin of Turquoise
Turquoise is a gemstone whose history and culture are rich, and its color varies between blue and green. The first Tibetan King, Nyatri Tsenpo, was crowned in 127 BC, and this was the time the stone was introduced in Tibet, with a turquoise crown on his head. This made the gemstone a royal emblem that was commonly adorned by the noble people. The reason why it was highly valued was its bright color and the special characteristics that made it valuable to the royalties of Tibet, and it was considered a symbol of power and wealth.
Spiritual Benefits and Usage
Turquoise is considered to have great spiritual powers in Tibetan Buddhism. It is believed to bring equilibrium and harmony to the body, mind, and spirit.
Tibetan Belief has it that the gemstone is reported to circulate blood flow to improve the physical and mental health of a person. Turquoise, being a protective stone, is said to dispel bad energies or evil spirits, whereas it encourages good fortune and positive energy. Spiritual practitioners have been using it for a long time to help them meditate and pray to achieve a harmonious and calm atmosphere.
Buddhism and Turquoise Art
Turquoise Pure Land of Green Tara
Turquoise has a certain place in Tibetan culture and art. It is commonly incorporated in Thangka paintings, which are elaborate religious paintings, and in the production of statues and jewelry. The stone is also associated with Green Tara to highlight her vibrant green color, as there are several statues of green Tara that are completely made up of turquoise.
In these works of art, turquoise is used to signify purity, protection, and light, and is therefore a sacred component in religion and the arts. Furthermore, turquoise is linked with the Pure Land of Turquoise, which is a spiritual realm in Tibetan Buddhist cosmology, further entrenching its significance in the religion and artistic product.
Lapis Lazuli
Medicine Buddha Lapis Lazuli Statue
Origin of Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli is a hard metamorphic rock of deep blue color, which has been worshipped since ancient times, due to its spirituality and beauty. It can be dated back to Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), but it was initially employed as a royal emblem by ancient peoples. Lapis Lazuli has remained significant in the history of many peoples, particularly the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Buddhists, who also brought the stone a strong spiritual interpretation.
The Integration of lapis lazuli into artwork and jewelry was first believed to have originated in Afghanistan. The stone was frequently utilized in jewelry, art, and religious activities that made its life intermingling with mythology and rituals. The beautiful blue color of Lapis Lazuli also made it a representation of physical appeal and spiritual strength.
Benefits of Lapis Lazuli in Buddhism
Lapis Lazuli is regarded as one of the most significant minerals used in Tibetan medicine with great healing properties. It is especially related to the Bhaisajya Guru or the Medicine Buddha, who captivates the theatrical elements of the stone. Buddhist texts tend to refer to Lapis Lazuli as a symbol of inner purity, which assists sentient beings in discovering their inner self and being enlightened spiritually. It is a kind of stone that is thought to be able to send a person to heal both physically and spiritually.
Integration of Lapis Lazuli in Buddhist Art
Lapis Lazuli is also a major concern among Buddhism art and spiritual matters. It is also commonly applied when making ritual objects like prayer beads, statues, ritual items, and special jewelry, which are considered to be more effective in enhancing their spiritual power. It represents wisdom, clarity, and truth in Buddhism, and so it is a necessary aspect of rituals and ceremonies. Its value in Tibetan Buddhism reminds the long-term value of the stone as a means of spiritual development and aid to healing.
Coral: A Symbol of Protection and Vitality
Natural Coral locket
Coral, commonly red, has been loved by all throughout history for its beauty and symbolism. Coral was worn by the Romans in ancient times, believed to provide protection against disasters and spiritual hindrances. It was regarded as an effective charm that preserved people against mishaps.
Similarly, Chinese emperors adopted coral to show their royalty and powers, and they had it as a part of their regalia as a way of showing their powers and divine support. Its vibrant, red hue was related to strength and energy, a fact that made it a valuable substance to most cultures.
Benefits of Coral Gemstones
According to Tibetan Buddhism, coral is conventionally associated with the force of life, security, and energy. Early Buddhist writings and oral traditions explain coral as symbolically related to the energy of compassion and awakened life, and in some cases, poetically called the blood of life or the blood of the awakened being.
This relationship not only explains why coral is meaningful in a spiritual context but is also thought to help calm the mind and body, as well as help one develop a state of peaceful awareness. The stone is believed to increase the clarity of mind and strength of emotions, helping the practitioners be balanced and focused in their spiritual life.
Coral Gemstones in Buddhist Art
Coral Vajrayogini Statue
Coral is also specifically related to the Vajrayogini, a significant Tibetan Buddhist deity, the practices of which are typically linked with vibrancy and defense.
Coral is also commonly employed in the making of Mala beads, necklaces, statues, and other ritual items used in Buddhism, whereby it is said to amplify the effectiveness of the mantras used and increase meditation. The fact that these sacred items use coral shows the relevance of coral in religious affairs; people admire coral because of its life-affirming power and because it can save and give strength to those who practice it during their spiritual journey.
Jade
Jade Laughing Buddha
Jade is a revered gemstone that comes in a variety of colors, each with its own unique significance and meaning. Known for its smooth texture and beautiful hues, jade has long been cherished in cultures around the world, especially in Asia, where it is believed to possess powerful spiritual properties. Throughout history, jade has symbolized virtue, purity, and ethical grounding, making it a highly sought-after stone for both artistic and spiritual purposes.
Jade Stone and Buddha
By: thaizer.com
The Emerald Buddha, one of Thailand’s most sacred religious icons, is actually crafted from jade rather than emerald, underscoring the gemstone’s importance in Buddhism. This revered statue serves as a symbol of Buddha's spiritual wisdom and power, highlighting the deep connection between jade and Buddhist traditions.
Benefits & Usage
Each color of jade is associated with unique spiritual meanings and benefits. For instance, green jade is often linked to harmony and balance, while white jade symbolizes purity and peace. Yellow jade is associated with wisdom, and lavender jade is believed to promote spiritual growth. This range of colors and their corresponding meanings enhances the appeal of jade, making it a versatile stone for various uses. Jade is frequently used in the creation of Buddhist beads, statues, and ritual objects, where it is believed to enhance spiritual practices, promote calm, and support meditation.
Emerald
By: Precious Earth
Emerald is a rare and rich green gemstone, which has a lot of meaning in Buddhism, and it represents wisdom, spiritual illumination, and compassion. The color of it is a bright green, which is linked to harmony with nature, the movement of life energy, and spiritual cleansing.
The use of emeralds in Buddhism is common in temples and altars and symbolizes the clarity of mind, compassion, and seeking the truth. Emerald is said to help in deep meditation, improve intuition, and bring inner peace.
It has been found that emeralds are also associated with other religious places in Asia, e.g., the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar, where emeralds are reflected in statues and in shrines as gifts to the Buddha. Emeralds are frequently used in ritual jewelry, prayer beads, and relic boxes in Tibet and Nepal, which underscores the relationship between the gemstone and greater knowledge and the green energy of compassion.
Ruby
Source: store.museumofjewelry
Ruby is a valuable red gemstone with a lot of meaning in many cultures and religious beliefs. The Hindu scriptures, such as the Shilpashastra, include ruby as a key component in their rituals, especially when pillars are being installed. It has been described as a good inclusion in Rasashastra in medicinal preparations, and Theravada Buddhism emphasizes its symbolic relationship with a rivalry with a gem cutter. The rich color and the power of Ruby are also traced back in Indian history, where it was made using black fish dye and mahua oil to make it shinier.
Source: Wisdomlibrary.org
Benefits of Ruby
Buddhists consider rubies as sacred magic stones, and frequently in their spiritual doctrines, they refer to both diamonds and rubies. The Chinese traditionally wore rubies in order to worship the Buddha. To the Buddhists, rubies are expected to bring about affections, strength, and the capacity to draw the heart to others. Indian magicians were convinced that rubies could provide unrestrained, unresistible power, which would help increase qualities such as generosity, unity, and compassion.
Moonstone
By: razagems.com
Moonstones are gemstones of feldspar that are characterized by ethereal beauty and spiritual significance. The Purana describes the moonstone as beautiful, pure, and calm, associated with emotional balance and inner peace.
Moonstone is a precious gem in Theravada Buddhism and is commonly known to have a connection with the cetiya (relic shrines), which means that it is considered important in the spiritual world. This is a two-faceted view, which puts emphasis on the aesthetic value and spiritual value that moonstone has in different cultural and religious backgrounds. This gem is considered important because it removes nightmares and lucid dreams, and reduces anxiety and depression.
Amethyst
Amethyst or Jamunia Stone is a natural tranquilizer that is respected because it can allow those who wear it to forget the traumas or other wounds of the past.
This purple quartz gemstone is beautiful and promotes inner peace because it brings emotional balance to an individual and increases intuition, enabling people to make better decisions. It is recognized to help to be mindful and givethe inner strength that is necessary to proceed and recover.
Citrine
By: huntersfinejewellery.com
The so-called Sunela (citrine) is a warm yellow stone that is connected with prosperity and positive change.
It relaxes the nerves and stimulates the solar plexus chakra that enhances confidence, courage, and determination. Citrine enhances clarity of mind, helping wearers make superior choices and fostering the finest and most optimistic attitude towards life. It is actually a rock of happy work and development.
Rose Quartz
Tibetan Rose Quartz Mala
The Rose Quartz, commonly referred to as the Heart Stone, is a pink coloured gemstone that improves self-love and love towards others.
This crystal facilitates unconditional love, emotional wound healing, and inner peace. It also promotes the enhancement of communication, reinforcing the existing relations and strengthening new ones. Rose Quartz is a potent healing and loving stone.
In conclusion, Gemstones and crystals play a significant role in Buddhist culture, and each has specific spiritual properties and symbolism. The power of turquoise to balance the body and mind, the power of amethyst to calm the inner being, make these rocks not just a beautiful decoration, but the means of meditation, healing, and spiritual development. This is because, whether they are utilized in rituals, as jewelry, or as objects of worship, these stones remind the practitioners of compassion, clarity, and the way toward enlightenment, which will further aid them in connecting more with the teachings of Buddhism.
