This year in late March and early April 2023 I was fortunate to be able to visit Nepal for my third Buddhist Pilgrimage. Along the way, I hand-picked this item with other select practice supplies and supports. I will be posting items in the days and weeks ahead.
This rare Bodhi Seed mala comes from the small village of Timal, about 5 hours southeast by car of Kathmandu in Nepal. I was able to return and visit the Yarinak cave where Padmasambhava stayed and practiced. It was said Guru Rinpoche, on his journey back from Tibet, meditated there before moving to Pharping at Asura cave. Timal, Nepal is connected with Guru Rinpoche himself when he taught that Bodhi Seeds should be used for counting mantra. Additionally, it is said Padmasambhava defeated Tirthikas—sworn enemies of the Dharma near Yakinak cave. Afterwards he blessed the lands of this area.
Over time the Bodhi Trees and the seeds of Timal have become deeply connected to Guru Rinpoche. The Bodhi Seeds from this area are grown, harvested, and crafted into malas by the local people. One of the only ways to be for sure of the authenticity of a Timal Bodhi Seed mala, is to go directly to the source. I was fortunate enough to return this year. See the last image of me at the gateway entering Timal.
This mala is one of the few I was able to hand pick while I was in Timal from a resident craft person. The beads are generally sized 11mm to 12mm side-to-side and more toward 12mm top to bottom. The beads have a deep medium brown appearance with a very even and consistent color tone. The Bodhi Seeds have very little trimming on the sides and are very round. This mala feels very good in the hand.
The overall length is 22.50 inches or 57.15cm. This mala is strung using a single red nylon cord that is tied off at the end. This mala is finished with a beautiful 3-eye Bodhi Seed guru bead sized 15mm with matching color tones for a complimenting presence.
This is an extremely rare, high quality, and beautiful mala with a deep local connection to Guru Padmasambhava. Authentic Timal Bodhi Seed Malas seldomly come up for sale.
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