Chapter 30 Chapter Seven Necklaces, Flower Garlands and Numerous Beads

Yingluo is a Sanskrit translation of a large category of jewelry that people in the ancient South Asian subcontinent—especially nobles—used to decorate their bodies.Tracing back to the corresponding original Sanskrit words in the Buddhist scriptures, there are roughly the following: Mukta-hara, where Mukta means "pearl", and hara means "string".The original meaning of this word is roughly "jewelry strung with pearls and so on". Keyura, transliterated as "Jiyuluo", roughly refers to bracelets, armlets and other accessories worn on the arm in jewelry.

Ratnavali, the original meaning of the word roughly means "a string of precious stones". Rucaka, the original meaning of the word roughly refers to "garland (garland) shaped jewelry."The flower garland itself is a free translation of the Sanskrit Kusuma-mala.Among them, Kusuma originally refers to a plant of the genus Jasmine, transliterated as "Jusuma, Kusuma, Sumana, Sumena", etc., specifically referring to its flowers, which are often used as part of all flowers in Buddhist scriptures. collective name for the whole. mala means garland, ring.Mala is also used as a simplified word for Kusuma-mala.The garland mainly refers to a ring-shaped neck ornament, which is the garland still used in the South Asian subcontinent, such as the kind of ornament that we often put on the neck of VIPs in concierge ceremonies.The difference between it and Mukta-hara is probably mainly in the difference in the series of ornaments used, one is plant matter and the other is mineral matter.Therefore, some Buddhist scripture translators sometimes translate Kusuma-mala or mala into "wreath".

Based on this, we can broadly define the connotation of the "wreath" in Buddhist scriptures as follows: (1) It is a ring-shaped ornament. Broadly speaking, it includes hanging on the neck and hanging on the chest, wearing on the head, and wearing on the arms and calves. (2) It is mainly made of pearls, precious stones and precious metals in series.Broadly speaking, sometimes flower garlands can also be counted. As for the use of Yingluo, roughly speaking, people in the ancient South Asian subcontinent had already used it before the rise of Buddhism.Especially the nobles there often used it to decorate their bodies and display their status.The gods of the ancient South Asian subcontinent were naturally the projection incarnations of noble rulers in the sky, and they also used such ornaments.In Xuanzang's "Da Tang Western Regions Records" Volume 2 "Clothing and Decoration", he recorded that he saw with his own eyes in the ancient South Asian subcontinent that both men and women could "wear a garland on their head and a necklace on their body".Especially the nobles: "Kings and ministers, wear good things: garlands and crowns are considered jewelry; rings and necklaces are used as body wear." According to Volume 1 of "Praise of Buddha's Actions", Sakyamuni , that is, "Yingluo's solemn body".According to the "Muji Metaphor Sutra" in the "Zhong Agama Sutra", there are records of many young women's body modification: "When the year is in its prime, bathe in fragrant incense, wear bright and clean clothes, and decorate the body with gorgeous garlands and necklaces. "

However, who can wear these, what Xuanzang saw seems to be restricted by class and caste, etc.: "There are wealthy businessmen and big businessmen, but they only have bracelets." ", when talking about the story of the "rich elder" and his lost son, he described the luxurious and rich state of his father that the son saw: Living by the side of the standing gate, I saw his father in the distance: sitting on the master's bed, Baoji bears his feet.All the Brahmins and Chali laymen respectfully surrounded him.With pearl necklaces - worth tens of millions - to solemnize the body.The servants of the officials and the people, with white brushes in their hands, stand on the left and right.Cover it with a precious tent, and hang down the colorful banners.Perfume sprinkled on the ground, spreading the fame.List the treasures, and take them out.There are all kinds of embellishments like this, Wade is special... The poor son sees his father's great power, and he is terrified and regrets coming here.Stealing is reading: "This is the king, or the king..."

This is the style of a rich man.However, he was served by "officials and people", which shows that his political status is not low. As for the "heterodox clothing" of various sects seen from the eyes of Xuanzang, a Buddhist, they are "various and different. Some wear peacock feather tails, or decorate skull necklaces,..." Let me say a few words here: what Xuanzang saw The "heretics" who "decorate the skull necklace" are believers in Shiva (transliteration of Sanskrit Siva).Shiva's free translation name is "Da Zizai Tian", one of the three main gods of the ancient South Asian subcontinent, his neck ornament is a necklace made of many skulls, so he is nicknamed "the one who decorates the skull necklace" (Sanskrit Kapalamalin's). free translation).The believers of this sect also use this kind of necklace as a neck ornament, so they are nicknamed "those who wear skulls" (the free translation of Sanskrit Kapaladharin).According to the first volume of "The Biography of Master Tripitaka of Daci'en Temple", when Xuanzang crossed the quicksand, he was guarded by a great god, who is said to be "General Shensha".This is the prototype of Zhongsha Monk, which is well known to those who study Chinese novels about gods and demons.

However, Buddhism abandons all the glory and wealth in the world, and according to the requirements of the rules and regulations, it is not allowed to wear these ornaments. The fourth volume of "The Law of Four Parts" tells the story of the eight brothers of Sakyamuni's family and their barber Upali when they became monks, which clearly reflects this situation: At that time, Anarushi, Bati Shizi, Nanti Shizi, Jinpiluo Shizi, Nanda Shizi, Bananda Shizi, Ananda Shizi, Devada Shizi, Upali Haircut Master—Ninth—Gejing After taking a bath, he anointed his body with incense, combed his beard and hair, put on a necklace of pearls, rode on an elephant and a horse, and left Kapilavatthu... At that time, the sons of Buddha...dismounted from the elephant, took off their clothes, and the necklace, and spoke with Upali. "You always rely on us to survive. We are now monks, and we will give you the precious clothes and the elephant to live with our own resources." At that time, Upali took the precious clothes, necklaces, and white clothes he had obtained. Wrap it up, hang a tall tree, and say: "If anyone comes to take it, give it to him!"...

All nine of them took refuge in Buddha Shakyamuni.It can be seen that Yingluo was a personal decoration of lay people in the ancient South Asian subcontinent, especially nobles (regardless of gender), and monks could not wear Yingluo under normal circumstances.There are quite a lot of similar stories recorded in Buddhist scriptures, and this is just one example to summarize, so I won’t repeat them.But a few words should be added: "Shizi" here means "young people of the Shakya tribe", who have not yet become monks.It is not the same concept as the commonly called "Shizi" to refer to monks who become monks.

Even when ordinary devout men and women come to pay homage to Sakyamuni Buddha, they often take off jewelry such as necklaces to show their respect.This is especially true when one seeks from the Buddha.For example, it is recorded in the volume of "Guan Wuliangshou Buddha Sutra" that the prince of Asheshi imprisoned his father Bimbasara and wanted to starve him to death.Queen Mother Wei Tixi went to visit.After taking a bath, she mixed crisp honey and fried flour, rubbed it on her body, and brought grape syrup under the cover of Yingluo, and brought it to Lao Wang to eat.Later, Wei Tixi prayed to Sakyamuni Buddha to save her. As soon as she saw the Buddha, she immediately "put off the necklace, threw herself to the ground, and cried to the Buddha". case.

The garland, as mentioned above, is a kind of decorative garland popular in the ancient South Asian subcontinent.It is mainly woven from flowers, and its function is expected to be similar to that of a wreath, except that it is mostly used as a headgear and hung on the body as a neck ornament. Buddhism rejects the splendor and wealth in the world. Therefore, monks such as Buddhas and Arhats do not wear ornaments such as necklaces and garlands.It is also permitted by the precepts that monks are given a garland of neck ornaments for a short period of time when they are VIPs.Only Bodhisattva-level figures, except those who are in the form of monks such as certain Bodhisattvas, the regular Bodhisattva images all wear various necklaces and garlands, and can accept such gifts.A typical example is as stated in the "Lotus Sutra: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's Universal Gate":

Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva said to the Buddha: "World Honored One: I should now make offerings to Guanshiyin Bodhisattva." Then he untied the jeweled necklaces around his neck - worth hundreds of thousands of taels of gold - and gave it to him, saying: "Benevolent ones, accept this Dharma offering: A jeweled necklace." At that time, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva refused to accept it.Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva replied to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and said: "The benevolent one accepts this necklace because you have compassion for us." Then the Buddha told Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva: "Be sympathetic to this Inexhaustible Intent Bodhisattva, as well as the four congregations, heavenly dragons, yakshas, ​​gandharvas, and ahs. Asura, Garuda, Kinnara, Mahouraga, human beings are not human, etc., accept this necklace." Immediately, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has compassion for all the four groups, as well as heavenly dragons, human beings, etc., accepts this necklace, divides it into two parts, and serves one part. Sakyamuni Buddha, one part is enshrined in the Pagoda of Many Treasures.

Why do Bodhisattvas accept such offerings?It seems that before Sakyamuni attained enlightenment—including countless past lives in the Jataka—belonging to the level of Bodhisattva.Especially when Sakyamuni was a prince, he was a figure full of necklaces.This affects the early statues of Buddhism.Shakyamuni in the biography of Buddha is dressed as a prince! According to the statues of Bodhisattvas in the ancient South Asian subcontinent, the decorations of necklaces and garlands can be roughly divided into the following categories: The necklace basically belongs to the collar series, which is called Kantha-bhusa in Sanskrit. The pectorals are mostly composed of garlands or gorgeous strings in the form of beads, hanging from the neck forward on the chest.But there are two kinds that hang obliquely from the left shoulder to the right waist and leg, and I have to talk about it: One is a wreath, which is a large ring that hangs down from the left shoulder and goes around the right leg. It is called Ardha-hara in Sanskrit, and it is translated as "slanting hanging" or "half wreath". The other is the linear shape, or the belt shape, which also hangs obliquely from the left shoulder to the right hip, but not as far as the lower side of the legs.The shortest one is the shortest one, which goes up under the breast; some are tucked in the belt; the long one is wrapped around the hip.This kind is called Yajnopavita in Sanskrit, and translated into Chinese as Luoxi, Shenxian, Shensuo, Jingsheng, and holding offerings.It is said that when the Brahmans finished learning the "Vedas" scriptures, they had to give this line as a sign. The Buddhist statues used this line from Brahmanism, and Sinicized Buddhist sculptors also used to call it "ribbon". The decoration on the abdomen is also concentrated on the belt part as is common in the world.What is called Udara-bandha in Sanskrit can be translated into "belly belt" in Chinese; what is called Kuca-bandha in Sanskrit can be translated into "breast belt".Generally speaking, the girdle is composed of metals and jewels, which seem to be no different from those used in the world.There is a Sanskrit called Mekhala, which is transliterated as "Mihala" and free translated as "Golden Belt".There are also those called Rasana and Kanci in Sanskrit, which can generally be translated as "treasure belt". Those worn on the upper arm and wrist are collectively called Baju in Sanskrit, translated as "arm bracelets"; Kataka in Sanskrit, translated as "wrist bracelets".There are also those worn on the ankles, which are called Nupura in Sanskrit, which can be translated as "foot bracelets".Above, statues are often referred to as "arm strictness" (the strictness of "solemn"), "wrist strictness" and "foot strictness". However, the solemnity of the Bodhisattva statues in Sinicized Buddhism is becoming less and less important, and sometimes it is not clear whether to hang obliquely or under the armpits, or even cancel them.After the Song Dynasty, feudal consciousness was strengthened, and many Bodhisattvas were wrapped in more and more clothes, and those who pretended to be solemn could not be seen.Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva often wears a windbreaker, and even the crown (which is also a part of the adornment) can't be seen.Foreign luxury gradually gave way to native simplicity.