See How Easily You Can Keep Track of Mantras Using Malas

Praying Beads Record Time

Mala beads is a string of one hundred and eight beads and a guru bead marking the beginning and end. These beads are used to keep track of mantras or chants allowing the mind to focus on meditation. A variety of materials are used in making mala beads including wood, seeds, crystals, bones and metals. Each of these materials have properties that alter the energy of the meditation and the practitioner.

Malas like this one are made from wood from the bodhi tree

Why Use Prayer Beads?

Malas are used to count mantras. Instead of concentrating on counting the mantras or chants, the person meditating can focus on the meaning of the mantra or the sounds of the chants. These Buddhist prayer beads are used to tame the active mind. Minds tend to wander when harnessed with the mundane, such as repeating mantras, chants or prayers. Mala beads provide a focus for a tired mind when energy is low. The beads become an anchor for the practitioner to focus on.

How to Use a Buddhist Prayer Beads

Traditionally held in the right hand, the beads are pulled toward the body, using the thumb, sliding one bead over the middle finger per mantra. An optional method is to position the mala beads between the ring and middle finger where the middle finger assists the thumb in rotating the bead over the ring finger. The index (pointer) finger is not included in the processes since Hindu tradition considers it rude. Buddhist tradition, however, allows for either hand to be used and all fingers are acceptable. The rest of the beads may lie on the floor or they may remain concealed in a mala bag.

–Click here to see a mala gift set.

The mantra chant is started at the summit or guru bead. This bead is larger or is a different color. Sometimes there are three beads descending from the guru bead representing the three bodies of Buddha; physical, bliss and the essence of the universe. A practitioner continues around the one hundred and eight beads until the summit bead is reached. Hindus will turn the prayer beads around and go back in the opposite directions, never crossing over the guru bead. Buddhists will continue over the guru bead if more than one revolution is required.

The History Behind 108

There are several attempts at explaining the intent behind the 108 beads featured in the mala. For Buddhists, it represents the 108 afflictions (poisons). It starts with 6 senses, the five physical and consciousness multiplied by the 3 reactions of positive, negative or indifference which can be either be attached or detached from pleasure manifested in the past, present or future. This totals 108. For other practitioners, 108 beads ensures the worshiper says the mantra or chant at least one hundred times with the extra beads allowing for absentmindedness during counting.

What are a Mala Beads Made Of?

Traditionally, the string inside the mala is silk, but on occasion can be made of human hair. Strings of mala are in threes, fives or nines where 3 represent the kayas (the three bodies of buddha), five represent the five Buddhas and 9 represent the nine vehicles (paths). Beads are usually made of wood such as sandalwood and wood from the bodhi tree. Buddhist prayer beads can also be made out of precious and semi-precious stones, precious metals, seeds, animal bone and human bone.