ROSARIES.
Tasbih, Masbaha, . ARAB. Rosenkrans, . . . GER. Rosaire, FR. Rosario, IT.
Rosenbeet, . . . GER. Rosaro, SP.
Rosaries are used by Buddhists Christians Mnhammadans, and Hindus. The Milammadans, as each bead passes through their bands, recite one of the hundred attributes of the Creator. Their rosary has 100 beads ; that of the Burmese Buddhists; 108. The thousand names of Vishnu and Siva are strung together in verse, and are repeated on certain occasions by Brahmans, as a litany accompanied sometimes with the rosary. As each name is mentally recii6d, with the attention abstractedly fixed on the attribute or character of which that name excites the idea, a bead is dropped through the finger and thumb ; such operation is supposed to assist or promote alostrac ton, an attainment which enthusiastic Hindus think exceedingly efficacious. Brahmans and pious men of other castes are often seen with rosaries in their hands. These are composed of
amber or of the rough seeds of fruits Which are sacred to the gods. Images and pictures of Brahma and of Siva are frequently to be seen with a rosary in the hand, and the hand is some times seen enclosed in a loose bag. There is no authority for supposing that the Jews or the earlier Christians used rosaries. The Christian rosaries are of beads and seeds. The seeds of the Abrus precatorius and of the olive, and beads of wood made by the turner, are usei. Muham madans use beads made of quartzose minerals. Rosaries and charms axe made at Kandahar from chrysolite, a silicate of magnesia quarried from a hill at Shahmaksud. It is generally opaque, and varies from a light - yellow to bluish - white.— Bellew • Moor's Pantheon, p. 24.