Share the joy A Japa mala or mala (meaning garland) is a set of beads commonly used by Hindus and Buddhists, usually made from 108 beads, though other numbers, usually divisible by 9, are also used. Malas are used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra or the name or names of
A Japa mala or mala (meaning garland) is a set of beads commonly used by Hindus and Buddhists, usually made from 108 beads, though other numbers, usually divisible by 9, are also used. Malas are used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra or the name or names of a deity. This practice is known in Sanskrit as japa. Malas are typically made with 19, 21, 27, 54 or 108 beads.
In Tibetan Buddhism, traditionally malas of 108 beads are used. Some practitioners use malas of 21 or 28 beads for doing prostrations. Doing one 108-bead mala counts as 100 mantra recitations, the extra repetitions done to amend any mistakes in pronunciation or other faults of recitation.
Malas are mainly used to count mantras. These mantras can be recited for different purposes linked to working with mind. The material used to make the beads can vary according to the purpose of the mantras used. Some beads can be used for all purposes and all kinds of mantras. These beads can be made from the wood of the Bodhi tree (ficus religiosa), or from ‘Bodhi’ seeds, which is a misnomer as the seeds are from a tree related to the Rudraksha (Elaeocarpus ganitrus) and not the Bodhi tree (being a fig tree, its seeds are inside a tiny fig, and are minuscule). The scientific name of this tree, native to Nepal, is yet to be determined. Another general-purpose mala is made from another unknown seed, the beads themselves called ‘Moon and Stars’ by Tibetans, and variously called ‘lotus root’, ‘lotus seed’ and ‘linden nut’ by various retailers. The bead itself is very hard and dense, ivory coloured (which gradually turns a deep golden brown with long use), and has small holes (moons) and tiny black dots (stars) covering its surface.
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Beautiful and just as pictured! These came in the mail, and I was actually really surprised they came so quickly – I wasn’t even expecting them! The beads are shiny and just as expected. The only small thing I’d have a problem with is the tassels on the ends being a little bended from the shipping package, but I’m pretty sure that’s something I can remedy on my own very easily.
View CommentVery nice indeed! These agates are beautiful and I would recommend this item to anyone looking for a beautiful string of mala beads. My only complaint is that they are strung on quite a fine string, and the tassel is a bit tacky. However, the stones themselves are gorgeous and one can always restring them. Very good value for money! Anni Beale
View CommentGood quality! Great company to order from, this comes just as shown and described. No knotting between beads, with around a four inch tassel tail.
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