12/01/2021
In Buddhism, the color red holds tremendous significance. It is accepted as a strong hue that directly impacts one’s life and sustenance of the same. It takes care of the life force. It is also used widely during meditation and helps one to detach from the worldly attractions, and focus rather on the development of the conscience. Apart from these, red represents fearlessness, courage and bravery.
Monks and other people who tie red string bracelets on each other’s wrists, wish these very qualities to one another.
Red strings are used in Tibetan Buddhism religious ceremonies.
It is believed that tying a red thread to the centerpiece, during a traditional ceremony, while chanting scriptures side by side, will bring people closer. Post the ceremony, the red sacred thread is to be tied on each other’s wrists.
Red strings have been spotted dangling round the necks of monks. Not only do the monks use these strings, but the commoners also receive them as a sign of blessing. It is thus known as the ‘protection and blessing cord’. Amazing are the powers and people’s belief on them!
The procedure is simple. The lama or the monk empowers the cord and then passes the blessings to the disciples via the cord. He utters mantras upon the cord and thus blesses the people with the cord, by tying it around their necks.
These are some of the beliefs with regards to a red string bracelet. Although, a red string is known to bestow good fortune on a person, yet, this is just a belief, a religious myth, which has been carried on for generations. There is nothing concrete to prove, whether it actually does what the religious beliefs say. Still, as religion is something to be believed in and not dissected, anyone can wear a red string bracelet and see for himself, whether it really works wonders or not!
