Manjushri and Buddha Amitayus Gold Plated Sterling Silver Gao Shrine Box Pendant

Manjushri and Buddha Amitayus Gold Plated Sterling Silver Gao Shrine Box PendantManjushri and Buddha Amitayus Gold Plated Sterling Silver Gao Shrine Box Measure approx. 2" x 2" Buddha Amitayus or Buddha of Limitless Life is a Buddha aspect or a deity associated with meditations and mantras for a long life. Amitayus is usually depicted seated in a meditation posture with a vase (Kalasha) in his hands, which contains the elixir of immortality (Amrita) and leaves of the Ashoka tree. It symbolizes a long life without the misery

• Manjushri and Buddha Amitayus Gold Plated Sterling Silver Gao Shrine Box
• Measure approx. 2" x 2"
• Buddha Amitayus or Buddha of Limitless Life is a Buddha aspect or a deity associated with meditations and mantras for a long life.
  Amitayus is usually depicted seated in a meditation posture with a vase (Kalasha) in his hands, which contains the elixir of immortality (Amrita) and leaves of the Ashoka tree. It symbolizes “a long life without the misery (Shoka) of disease. On top of the vase can be an alms bowl.
• Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, normally holds a sword in one hand, to cut off all delusion, and a Prajnaparamita Wisdom text in the other. His name is a compound of the Sanskrit words Man-ju (meaning charming, beautiful, pleasing) and Shri (or Sri, meaning glory, brilliance). The combination of both these words convey the kind of intelligence and wisdom Manjushri represents. Manjushri's Sanskrit name means "He Who Is Noble and Gentle." He is often portrayed as a beautiful young man.
• Provenance: from the Collection of Lois Sherr Dubin. 
• Lois Sherr Dubin wrote The History of Beads: From 30,000 B.C. to the Present (Abrams, 1987; reissued in paperback in 2004 and updated in 2009 as The History of Beads: From 100,000 to the Present), a beloved classic study and reference on the subject that has been published in five languages. Scholar, Researcher and Collector, Lois Sherr Dubin is also the world renowned author of several authoritative books on Native American jewelry and beadwork, and co-curator of numerous museum exhibitions including Totems to Turquoise: Native North American Jewelry Arts of the Northwest and Southwest; Glittering World: Navajo Jewelry of the Yazzie Family and Floral Journey: Native North American Beadwork.
• On a personal note, Ms. Dubin's magnificent book The History of Beads: From 30,000 B.C. to the Present was one of the most important inspirations in the early days of Beads of Paradise NYC. When we first opened in the East Village 3 decades ago, Ms. Dubin's book was always on our sales counter as the authoritative guide to understanding the vast array and complexities of Cultural Beads and Adornments. To many bead lovers and admirers, this was our "Bible", and Ms. Dubin's Bead Timeline Map was hung prominently in the shop. Customers would line up in front of the Timeline, trace the origins of beads they were buying, beads they would like to order, or just plain beads they were dreaming of having someday.
• To this day, whenever a customer asks for a reference guide, or just a book dealing with beads, Ms. Dubin's book is still the top of our recommendations.