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Mani stone(carved prayer rock)Himalian Region, Kingdom of Nepal (?)late 20th century CE (before 1997)
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Dimensions: 6.0 cm wide x 4.0 cm high approx. 0.7 cm thick Description: Flat roughly oval grayish colored stone. Stone has been carved on both sides. Front Carved text in bas relief of the protection mantra of Avalokiteshvara in the Tibetan script, "Om Mani Padme Hum." Text is highlighted with black paint. Back Carved stylized image in bas relief of the eyes of Buddha. Image is highlighted in black paint. Note: Mani stones are carved prayer rocks inscribed with the Buddhist prayer mantra, "Om mani padme hum" and the auspicious symbol of the eyes of Buddha. They are traditional part of Tibetan Buddhist culture. Mani stones can be found throughout the Himalayan region piled into mounds. These mounds can be located atop mountain summits, outside temples, near monasteries, at holy sites and at crossroads where travelers pass. In more recent times, local craftspeople in the various Himalayan Tibetan communities have started to produced the stones specifically for sale and export. The Mani stone show in this exhibit is typical of this type and was purchased at a museum gift shop.