Using Prayer Beads In Meditation Practice

Many world religions incorporate the use of prayer beads in personal prayer or meditation. Catholics use the rosary to keep track of the order their prayers are said. In Islam, the 99 beads of the Misbaha correspond to the 99 names of Allah. Hindu and Buddhism use Japa Mala or Mala as a tool for repetition of a mantra during meditation. There are even nondenominational prayer beads available that can be adapted to the personal style of their users.

While many religions use prayer beads during prayer, the use of a string of beads or a mala during meditation typically comes from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The mala is used in combination with a specific mantra which will be repeated throughout the period of meditation.

The purpose of using a mala is to allow the mind to focus totally on the mantra by eliminating the need to count the repetitions. When the mind is freed from the mundane task of counting, it is open and focused in a way that makes it easier to achieve enlightenment.

Multi tasking is natural for the human mind, especially in our busy day. People have trained their minds to function on multiple levels at once. While this might be helpful to achieve success in daily life, it does not lend itself to thoughtful prayer and meditation. People often find their minds wandering to daily tasks or thoughts of weekend exploits as they try to pray or meditate. The purpose of prayer beads is to provide a tangible connection. The feel of the beads moving between the fingers provides a tangible reminder of the task at hand and helps the mind focus all of its energy onto the mantra being recited. This focus ensures that the mantra does not become mundane in its repetition, but instead allows the mind to focus on the meaning, and the rhythm. As the mind becomes focused, it also becomes relaxed, and the body follows suit. This relaxed state is the ultimate goal for meditation.

Traditionally, a mala contains 108 beads, but there are shorter stands as well, though the number of beads is usually divisible by 9. The number 108 is highly symbolic. The symbolism is deeply layered, but a sampling could include the 108 possible sins, the number of names assigned to a Hindu god, it also represents the nine planets in the twelve zodiac houses, and has been called the perfect or complete number.

The mala is held loosely in the hand, with the strand passing over and resting on the ring finger. To begin, the first bead behind the guru or fancy bead or tassel is held between the thumb and ring finger. Each time a recitation of the mantra is completed, the thumb is used to bring the next bead in line toward the body. This action is repeated until each bead in the circle has passed over the ring finger and the guru has returned. Passing over the guru is poor form as it is considered passing over ones teacher. Instead, the mala is flipped 180 degrees and the counting continues in reverse order. Tradition states that there are 100 beads in a single mala, and 8 additional beads to cover any mistakes one might have made during recitation.

Prayer beads are typically made from Bohdi seeds or sandalwood. These beads may be used for many different types of mantra. However, it is possible to find beads made from various other materials from gold to crystal to mother of pearl or even to human bone. However, using malas that are made from any type of bone should only be done by accomplished yogis because they contain great power that requires much discipline to control.

Mantra¡¯s can be recited for one of four different purposes. There are mantra¡¯s to appease, to increase, to overcome and to tame by forceful means. An appeasing mantra can serve to purify the mind and to clear away obstacles such as illness. An increasing mantra serves to increase ones lifespan, knowledge or other such pursuits. An overcoming mantra serves to benefit someone other than oneself. And a mantra to tame by forceful means serves to tame malicious spirits.

A Mala is considered a sacred relic and must be treated as such. It is important to treat them with care, never allowing them to fall onto the floor. A mala must be handled with gentleness and respect. Because the mala is considered sacred, it should not be passed around for others to handle. Many people prefer not to allow others to even look at their mala. There are special bags available to use for storing the mala when not in use. This will help to keep the beads from becoming tangled and will protect the string on which they are threaded.