Components

*Chinese hand carved labradorite Buddha
*Labradorite beads, Chinese Keshi pearls
*Sterling chain with labradorite beads and tiny gemstones
*Sterling beads, findings, earrings

Length: 19" - 24" (48 cm - 61 cm) Shown on model at shortest length
Buddha:  3/4" x 7/8" (2 cm x 2.5 cm)
Weight: 1.65 oz (46.8 gm)

Earring drop length: 1.5" (4 cm)
Earring weight: 2.9 gm ea (a nickel weighs about 5 gm)

Item #675 - $425 (set)

Necklace and
Earrings - $425:
      Necklace alone
$398:

Labradorite Budai Buddha Necklace and Earrings

Labradorite Buddha Necklace
Labradorite Buddha Necklace Detail
Labradorite Buddha Necklace on model
Labradorite Buddha Earrings
Labradorite Buddha Necklace
Hover to zoom, Click to expand

A joyous Buddha to bring you joy! It is hard to look at him without returning his big smile!

It is often assumed that the figure we see everywhere of the laughing Buddha represents Gautama Buddha who taught the Middle Way between asceticism and indulgence. An enlightened one, Gautama's teachings formed the basis for Buddhism. He lived sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. However, the Laughing Buddha actually represents Budai (or Pu-Tai), a Chinese Chán (Zen) monk who is thought to have been a 10th century CE incarnation of Maitreya. His name means "Cloth Sack" from the bag he carries. Wiki says the primary story about Budai is a short kōan: Budai travels giving candy to poor children, only asking a penny from Zen monks or lay practitioners he meets. One day a monk asks him, "What is the meaning of Zen?" Budai drops his bag. "How does one realize Zen?" the monk asks. Budai takes up his bag and continues on his way. One can imagine Budai laughing uproariously and yet with compassion at the monk's puzzled expression. He wasn't trying to be difficult or to confuse the monk! He answered the questions. Once again we encounter a teaching story that "makes no sense." But of course it does "make sense" when one allows oneself to be lifted up to a new level of understanding. That may take a few years, but never give up. Never, ever give up!

I discovered when I first showed this necklace that many people want labradorite necklaces "without the Buddha" so I will try to oblige. It is a beautiful and fascinating stone displaying "labradorescence" or the particular play of color characteristic of the stone. Ahsian says that it is used for magic and divination, and says it assists in moving between realities.

One doesn't have to be a Buddhist to appreciate Buddhist wisdom or to wear the image of an enlightened one, especially one who shows such pure joy. Won't you order this magical set today?