Optimal seed size for bodhi mala from practical point of view

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Sādhaka
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Re: Optimal seed size for bodhi mala from practical point of view

Post by Sādhaka »

Hm, I can’t even see my own posts in this thread now….
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Chenda
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Re: Optimal seed size for bodhi mala from practical point of view

Post by Chenda »

Always 8mm for me. Small enough for traveling, big enough to still feel like something.
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Malcolm
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Re: Optimal seed size for bodhi mala from practical point of view

Post by Malcolm »

Archie2009 wrote: Mon Aug 01, 2022 2:58 pm In The Precious Vase on page 16 there is a drawing of Garab Dorje with the right leg drawn inwards as well. In everything else it is identical to the image from Guruyoga. What to make of this?
Reversed line drawings?

The Thanngkhas by Glenn Eddy, painted according to Rinpoche's instructions, all show the left leg extended:

Image
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Sādhaka
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Re: Optimal seed size for bodhi mala from practical point of view

Post by Sādhaka »

I remember someone saying (probably Malcolm) that Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche either personally drew or personally oversaw the Tun book illustrations (and I would assume the same for The Precious Vase); whereas the Guruyoga book looks like a compilation of teachings and drawings put together by students.
Last edited by Sādhaka on Mon Aug 01, 2022 6:01 pm, edited 3 times in total.
pemachophel
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Re: Optimal seed size for bodhi mala from practical point of view

Post by pemachophel »

IMO, 8-9mm very comfortable. There's a reason why these are so expensive these days. I've been using one for 52 years. Drives like a Mercedes Benz. When my Teacher's wife gave it to me, she said it was the best size. I have larger ones and smaller ones, but I definitely agree with that opinion from so many years ago.
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Archie2009
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Re: Optimal seed size for bodhi mala from practical point of view

Post by Archie2009 »

My 11.5 mm bodhi seed mala arrived from Lithuania and it is perfect for my hands and joints. It also looks gorgeous. The smaller beads feel awkward to me. Size matters, but there's no arguing individual preference.

Average male height in China 167.1 cm and 183.8 cm in my country. I read there is evidence hand size is closely related to a person's height. Hmm. :thinking: And then there is rarity as a status symbol in China no doubt.
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Re: Optimal seed size for bodhi mala from practical point of view

Post by Archie2009 »

ohwedodzogchennow wrote: Sun Jul 31, 2022 4:49 pm Following is a bit offtopic, but could be important.
Archie2009 wrote: Sun Jul 31, 2022 12:31 pm https://dharmacraft.shop/product_667/tr ... 15-mm.html
Ships from Lithuania.
The shop looked rather inviting until I came across this:

https://dharmacraft.shop/62-mandala-tal ... n-rinpoche

As far as I understand, Gangchen Rinpoche was one of the influential teachers who went against the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on you-know-what taboo topic.

Would anyone here particularly trust or recommend acquiring "neutral" materials bought from a shop that carries blessed items by people who associate with you-know-what?

Of course, everything is meant to be purified and consecrated for one's use in practice, but I personally feel like taking maximum distance anyway and not support a type of business which acquires supplies from the aficionados of you-know-what.
Some time has passed, but I tracked down the person I had email contact with on Facebook, and it appears they are Diamond Way Buddhism Karma Kagyu.
https://www.facebook.com/anastasia.zhandalinova

So not affiliated with the you-know-who.
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treehuggingoctopus
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Re: Optimal seed size for bodhi mala from practical point of view

Post by treehuggingoctopus »

Archie2009 wrote: Sun Sep 25, 2022 3:49 pm
ohwedodzogchennow wrote: Sun Jul 31, 2022 4:49 pm Following is a bit offtopic, but could be important.
Archie2009 wrote: Sun Jul 31, 2022 12:31 pm https://dharmacraft.shop/product_667/tr ... 15-mm.html
Ships from Lithuania.
The shop looked rather inviting until I came across this:

https://dharmacraft.shop/62-mandala-tal ... n-rinpoche

As far as I understand, Gangchen Rinpoche was one of the influential teachers who went against the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on you-know-what taboo topic.

Would anyone here particularly trust or recommend acquiring "neutral" materials bought from a shop that carries blessed items by people who associate with you-know-what?

Of course, everything is meant to be purified and consecrated for one's use in practice, but I personally feel like taking maximum distance anyway and not support a type of business which acquires supplies from the aficionados of you-know-what.
Some time has passed, but I tracked down the person I had email contact with on Facebook, and it appears they are Diamond Way Buddhism Karma Kagyu.
https://www.facebook.com/anastasia.zhandalinova

So not affiliated with the you-know-who.
Sorig Khang International, so Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, too. Or even, first and foremost.
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Archie2009
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Re: Optimal seed size for bodhi mala from practical point of view

Post by Archie2009 »

treehuggingoctopus wrote: Sun Sep 25, 2022 4:37 pm
Archie2009 wrote: Sun Sep 25, 2022 3:49 pm
ohwedodzogchennow wrote: Sun Jul 31, 2022 4:49 pm Following is a bit offtopic, but could be important.



The shop looked rather inviting until I came across this:

https://dharmacraft.shop/62-mandala-tal ... n-rinpoche

As far as I understand, Gangchen Rinpoche was one of the influential teachers who went against the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on you-know-what taboo topic.

Would anyone here particularly trust or recommend acquiring "neutral" materials bought from a shop that carries blessed items by people who associate with you-know-what?

Of course, everything is meant to be purified and consecrated for one's use in practice, but I personally feel like taking maximum distance anyway and not support a type of business which acquires supplies from the aficionados of you-know-what.
Some time has passed, but I tracked down the person I had email contact with on Facebook, and it appears they are Diamond Way Buddhism Karma Kagyu.
https://www.facebook.com/anastasia.zhandalinova

So not affiliated with the you-know-who.
Sorig Khang International, so Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, too. Or even, first and foremost.
You're right, I didn't realize what that meant.
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PadmaVonSamba
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Re: Optimal seed size for bodhi mala from practical point of view

Post by PadmaVonSamba »

Since everyone has different size hands, to fit your own hand properly, the beads on a mala should be comparable to the width of your smallest fingernail. In other words, just a little bit smaller than the end of the ‘pinky’ finger.
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