Cintamani

Cintāmaṇi (Sanskrit; Devanagari: ; zh, c=如意寶珠, p=Rúyì bǎozhū; ; Korean: 여의보주/yeouiboju; Japanese Romaji: ), also spelled as Chintamani (or the ''Chintamani Stone''), is a wish-fulfilling jewel resembling a pearl described in Hindu and Mahayana Buddhist traditions. It is one of several Mani Jewel images found in Buddhist scripture.

Within Hinduism, it is connected with the gods Vishnu and Ganesha. In Hindu tradition, it is often depicted as a fabulous jewel in the possession of Vishnu as the Kaustubha Mani or as on the forehead of the Naga king called as Naga Mani, or on the forehead of the Makara. The ''Yoga Vasistha'', originally written in the 10th century CE, contains a story about the cintamani.
The Hindu Vishnu Purana speaks of the " Syamanta jewel, bestowing prosperity upon its owner, encapsulates the Yadu clan system". The Vishnu Purana is attributed to the mid-first millennium CE.

In Buddhism, it is held by the Bodhisattvas (divine beings with great compassion, wisdom and power) Avalokiteshvara and Ksitigarbha. It is also seen carried upon the back of the Lung Ta (wind horse) which is depicted on Tibetan prayer flags. By reciting the Dharani (small hymn) of Cintamani, Buddhist tradition maintains that one attains the Wisdom of Buddha, able to understand the truth of the Buddha, and turn afflictions into Bodhi. It is said to allow one to see the Holy Retinue of Amitabha and assembly upon one's deathbed. In Tibetan Buddhist tradition the Chintamani is sometimes depicted as a luminous pearl and is in the possession of several of different forms of the Buddha.

In Japan, where the Hindu goddess ''Lakshmi'' is known as '' Kisshōten'' in Shinto, she is commonly depicted with a Cintāmaṇi in her hand.

Etymology

Cintāmaṇi (Sanskrit; Devanagari: चिन्तामणि): 'Wish-Fulfilling Gem' () The ''mani'' (jewel) is translated in Chinese ''ruyi'' or ''ruyizhu'' 如意珠 "as-one-wishes jewel" or ''ruyibaozhu'' 如意寶珠 "as-one-wishes precious jewel". ''Ruyibaozhu'' is pronounced in Japanese ''nyoi-hōju'' or ''nyoi-hōshu'' 如意宝珠. ''Ruyizhu'' is pronounced in Korean ''yeouiju'' 여의주.

Hinduism

The Brihad Bhagavatamrita compares this gem with devotion towards Vishnu:

The Bhagavata Purana remarks that the cintamani may give worldly pleasures and affluence in Svarga, but spiritual advancement allows one to attain Vaikuntha, the realm of Vishnu that is difficult to achieve, even for ''yogins''.
The Kintamani mountainous region in Bali was named after the Cintamani.

Buddhism

In Buddhism, the wish fulfilling jewel (Skt. ', ', ') is an important mythic symbol indicating a magical jewel that manifests one's wishes, including the curing of disease, purification of water, granting clothing, food, treasure etc. It is a common symbol for the teachings and qualities of the Buddha.

One of the manifestation of Avalokitesvara is named Cintāmaṇicakra and holds a Cintāmaṇi.

In Tibetan Buddhism the Cintāmaṇi is said to be one of four relics that came in a chest that fell from the sky (many terma fell from the sky in caskets) during the reign of king Lha Thothori Nyantsen of Tibet. Though the king did not understand the purpose of the objects, he kept them in a position of reverence. Several years later, two mysterious strangers appeared at the court of the king, explaining the four relics, which included the Buddha's bowl (possibly a Singing Bowl) and a mani stone with the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra inscribed on it. These few objects were the bringers of the Dharma to Tibet.

Perennialism

René Guénon considered the Cintamani to be the equivalent of the philosopher's stone. Guénon, René (2004) 962
Symbols of Sacred Science
'. Sophia Perennis, USA. . p. 277

See also

* Ark of the Covenant
* Ashtamangala
* Cornucopia
* Eight Treasures
* Holy Chalice
* Holy Grail
* Three hares
* Kagome crest – A 6-pointed star and an 8-pointed star; a symbol also associated with the goddess Kisshoten
* Kisshoutennyo (吉祥天女) ''Lakshmi''/''Kisshōtennyo''.
* Kaustubha Gem
* List of mythological objects
* Luminous gemstones
* Mani stone
* Nicholas Roerich
* Philosopher's stone
* Sampo
* Śarīra
* Sendai Daikannon statue
* Shintai
* Syamantaka Gem
* Tide jewels
* Mitama
* ''Yasakani no Magatama''

Notes

Bibliography

* Beer, Robert (1999). ''The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs'' (Hardcover). Shambhala. ,
* {{cite book, editor1-last=Buswell, editor1-first=Robert Jr, editor2-last=Lopez, editor2-first=Donald S. Jr., editor1-link=Robert Buswell Jr., editor2-link=Donald S. Lopez, Jr., title="Cintamani", in Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism., date=2013, publisher=Princeton University Press, location=Princeton, NJ, isbn=9780691157863

Objects in Hindu mythology
Buddhist mythology
Tibetan Buddhist mythology
Mythological substances
Sanskrit words and phrases
Fictional gemstones and jewelry
Magic items