Exquisitely made, this amulet features the Buddhist classic’s ‘Four Friends’ comprising of the pheasant, rabbit, monkey and elephant. They are a harbinger of supportive relationships, harmony, peace, joy and happiness. Being a magnifier of social life, they also attract all the right kind of people into your life, leading to fruitful alliances. When their images are present, the 10 virtues will increase and the minds of all will become harmonious.
The four basic types of relationships will be refined in terms of bondage strength by each animal:
- ‘Family relationships’ will become respectful, harmony and faithful – Elephant
- ‘Friendships’ will become genuine and mutually helpful – Pheasant
- ‘Romantic relationships’ will lead to tying the knot – Rabbit
- ‘Work relationships’ will become fruitful – Monkey
The other side of the amulet features the symbol of an apple. The Chinese word for apple is ping guo with the first word sounding similar to ping which is translated to mean peace. Thus, the symbolism of apple in feng shui is generally meant to convey peace, harmony and reconciliation. The word ping is also a used for the word ping an which means safety. So while the primary symbolism of apple is to mean peace, it is also appropriate to wish for the safety of someone. Next, the “Double Happiness” symbol is a very powerful symbol of conjugal bliss and happiness in marriage and family life. It promises sustainable happiness in a relationship. Lastly, another featured symbol which is the Ksitigarbha’s Fireball signifies the taming of arguments and fighting. It is a strong countermeasure against all forms of quarrelsome energies.
The amulet is consecrated with the Mantra of Manjusri. Manjusri (Wenshu Pusa) is a bodhisattva in the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions of Buddhism. The name “Manjusri” means “gentle glory”. Manjusri is the bodhisattva associated with development of enlightened wisdom, doctrine and awareness. Manjusri is usually denoted in Chinese traditions as riding on the back of a lion. Those who are negative in mindset, stressed, depressed, suicidal, quarrelsome and troublesome can benefit from and be tamed by the Manjusri. The mantra of wisdom “Om A Ra Pa Ca Na Dhih” represents the attainment of ultimate realization.
Note: This amulet is energy infused and emits energy unendingly. Item comes with certificate of authenticity.
Four Friends
At first, there was just the bird, and the tree was just a little sprout. The bird could scratch around on the ground and find little bits of plant to eat. The bird was unable to fly, so the bird could only eat what it could find near to the ground. As the tree grew, it became difficult for the bird to get enough food to eat.
Then, the rabbit came. The rabbit would eat what was on the ground and would lift the bird up on his back so that the bird could reach the growing tree. In this way, they both had enough to eat. However, as the tree continued to grow, it started to become too high for the bird, even on the back of the rabbit.
Then, the monkey came. The monkey could climb up into the tree and drop the fruit from the tree onto the ground for the rabbit and the bird. However, it was difficult to get to the fruit at the very top of the tree.
Then, the elephant came. With the elephant, if all the animals helped each other, they could reach the fruit at the top of the tree; and, in this way, there was plenty for all of them to eat.
The reason the four animals worked so harmoniously together and the reason they were successful is that none of them was primarily concerned with getting enough food for themselves. Each of them was concerned with trying to help the others to get what they needed. Rather than being dominated by selfish concern, they were dominated by cherishing others.
Also, the reason they were successful is that they were willing to ask for help and to receive help. In this way, the bird is considered the hero of the story. The bird was the most fragile and needed the most help.
Because the bird was willing to ask for help and because the others were happy to help the bird, everything worked out very nicely.
In Tibet, in letters of advice to families who were going through some difficult times with each other, the Four Friends were often used as an example of how the family needs to stay together and help each other. Each member is very different and brings different strengths and different weaknesses, but if they work together, they can accomplish things they could never accomplish without working together.
This story is a story of interdependence. It is a story explaining how there is no place for self-cherishing, but rather we need each other and we need to help each other. The worst thing is self-cherishing. This is a story about working harmoniously.
Equally Good Whether Carrying or Displaying the Amulet
For the reason of promoting harmony and dissolving conflict, the followings are the recommended areas to display the amulet:
- Display in the west of the family room to keep the younger generation from showing disrespect to the elderly.
- Display at your workdesk to draw respect and harmony from your coworkers.
- Display in your bedroom at your personal “nien yen“ direction if you are seeking for a happier social life.
- Display in the sector that hosts conflict energy such as Quarrelsome Star #3.
- Display in the sector that hosts relationship energy such as Star of Relationship #1.
- Display in love and romance corner such as the southwest corner.
- Display in areas where quarrels usually occur.
