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The Legend of Tibetan Jewels

It is known that Tibet was ruled according to Buddhist principles, with every effort made to preserve and protect the natural environment & life. With these principles extended beyond the animal world, taking into account the beings of other realms. To avoid disrupting the animal life, the ecological system and the unseen creatures from other

realms who may be dwelling on the land, there was very little mining of precious gems in Tibet. In some places, stones were found close to the surface and alluvial mining did take place to a certain extent but generally stones were imported from neighbouring countries. The gems most frequently used in Tibet jewelry are dZi, pearls, turquoise coral and amber. Those gems which are found in less often but are valued very highly are those of rubies, sapphires and diamonds.

About dZi

The dZi is a uniquely Tibetan stone, an agate of oblong or round shape pierced lengthways. It has a shiny black and white design, characterised by the strong eye pattern, circle and square or double wave. The most valuable dZi were those with three or nine-eyes, the best being those with sharply contrasting patterns, shiny and with a faintly oily surface.

There are many interpretations concerning the dZi's origin. Since they are usually found buried in the ground, it is generally thought that they were made and worn by people in prehistoric or neolithic times. There are more mystical interpretations, some being that the dZi were once worm-like insects which, when frightened, froze and turned into stone. Other stories relate how the dZi were once ornaments of the demi-gods who threw them away when they became damaged, which accounts for why so few of the beads are in a perfect unblemished state. They were said to appear in miraculous ways, sometimes as presents from local deities to humans who had rendered them service, and appearing out of rabbit holes or on bushes which bore them like fruit. The dZi is either worn as a single bead about the neck, mainly for its aupicious or medicinal value or in a traditional necklace interspered with coral, pearls, amber or turquoise, or even, if the owner is fortunate to have a collection of dZi, a whole necklace is made from the stonrs. DZi are also used when applying gold to thankas or writing in gold, to burnish it and bring out the sheen.

The Physical Well Being

There are three supposed methods of applying the jewel for medicinal purposes; allowing the patient to observe the gem, allowing the patient to touch the gem and taking it orally as a powder mixed with other preparations.

Many dZi are worn for their medicinal properties. It is said that dZi protects its wearer from strokes and other sickness, as well as from evil influences. If, while it is being worn, the bead is in any way damaged or broken, it is taken as a sign that the bead has performed its task and absorbed the shock of the supernatural attack, then the dZi is rendered useless for any further protection. Turquoise is often worn for physical well being, to purify the blood and protect the liver. A change of colour in a turquoise is said to reflect the state of the wearer's health. It grows paler and greener as the owner sickens and loses it colour and intensity entirely at their death. However it recovers its beauty and strength of colour entirely when given to a new owner. In much the same way, when given as a love token, uts colour remains strong and bright as long as the lover's affection lasts.

Gems and precious metals also constitute a vital ingredients in making of Tibetan traditional medicines. The reddish-brown pearl is considered and the most effective of all organic and metallic drugs - medicines containing pearls are said to cure brain diseases and extract poison. The cool nature of turquoise is believed to help liver ailments and blood pressure and is said to possess a detoxifying quality. Gold is believed to prevent poison from affecting the organs of the body by causing it to slide down like water poured on a flower petal. Silver is supposed to dry and stop the flow of blood and pus, coral is used for fevers, sapphire for leprosy and extracting poison from the system. Coral is said to help migraine, brain disorders, fainting spells and seizures.

Precious pills, which contain most of these ingredients, also play an important part in curing many physical disorders. The Rinchen Ratna Samphel, (the Precious Wish Fulfilling Jewel), is compared to a precious jewel from the king of medicines. It contains over 100 different ingredients including Ngochu Tsothel, (a preparation of purified mercury, sulphur and sixteen different metals and minerals developed by the thirteenth century Tibetan scholar. Khedup Ugen Rinchen Pal), as well as seventy other ingredients such as purified gold,silver, copper, iron, lead and lode-stone. More notably the pill contains such gems as coral, turquoise, pearls, lapis lazuli and dZi. The precious jewels are detoxified and then ground into a very fine powder to be mixed with a number of other organic and mineral materials.

This is but one of many different precious pills in Tibetan medicine administered for general well-being as well as specific ailments. The Rinchen Ratna Samphel is said to guard against illness caused by different spirits as well as being an antidote, combatting all types of poisoning, high blood pressure, blood clots, ulcers, primary stages of cancer, strokes and paralysis. Unlike western medicine the therapeutic effect of pills such as these cannot be attributed to one active ingredient. It is the exact combination of the different organic substances and minerals that is of benefit. If one asks a Tibetan doctor how this works it is related back to the four different principles of therapeutic action - the tastes, the eight natural powers, the seventeen secondary qualities and the three post digestive powers.

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Further reading below:
The Jewels Of Tibet

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May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes.
May all sentient beings be free from suffering and its causes.
May all sentient beings never be separated from sorrowless bliss.
May all sentient beings abide in equanimity free of bias, attachment and anger.