Mala beads – what are they? What do they really represent?

All beads are worry beads – from the Pope’s rosary all the way down to those little wrist malas…’ worn by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. People of every religious tradition will claim that their beads are for praying – for appealing to a higher power, for collecting the spirit or concentrating the mind – and while this is indisputably true, that is not their primary purpose. Beads are for worry. They answer a human need so basic it actually precedes a religious consciousness – and that is to fret over things…The difference between the Buddhist mala and the various Western-style rosaries is simply that it makes this explicit in the symbolism of its beads. The message of the Buddhist mala is‘Don’t worry about things; worry about the fact that you are so worried all the time, and address the foot of that.”

Usage

Mantras are often repeated hundreds or even thousands of times. The mala is used so that one can think about the meaning of the mantra as it is chanted rather than thinking about counting the repetitions. One mantra is usually said for every bead, turning the thumb clockwise around each bead, though some traditions or practices may call for counterclockwise or specific finger usage. When arriving at the head bead [the largest bead with the tassel], one turns the mala around and then goes back in the same direction. This makes using the mala easier as the beads will not be so tight on the string when you use them.

The 109th bead on a mala is called the sumeru, bindu, stupa, or guru bead. Counting should always begin with a bead next to the sumeru. In the Hindu, Vedic tradition, if more than one mala of repetitions is to be done, one changes directions when reaching the sumeru rather than crossing it. The sumeru thus becomes the static point on the mala.

“The larger…bead at the end of the mala is the equivalent of the crucifix on a Catholic rosary. It is the teacher – and the teaching – we keep coming back to with every cycle we pray.”(Tricycle, Clark Strand; Winter 2006, pg 40):

Why are there 108 beads?

There are numerous explanations why there are 108 beads, with the number 108 bearing special religious significance in a number of Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

The answer is complicated, but in brief the origin of 108 is a sacred number related astrologically to the 12 astrological houses, multiplied by the 9 planets in our solar system. Malas can also have 109 beads, 108 to count mantra and the extra Guru Bead (usually slightly larger), which is where the Mala terminates at the tassel. The Guru Bead is added as a reminder of the sacred bond to the teacher or guru. Wrist malas can have 22 or 27 beads.

Materials

A wide variety of materials are used to make mala beads. In Hinduism, Vaishnavas generally use the Japamaala of Tulsi beads. Some Tibetan Buddhist traditions call for the use of bone (animal, most commonly yak) or sometimes human, the bones of past Lamas being the most valuable. Others use wood or seeds from the Bodhi tree or seeds of the Lotus plant. Semi-precious stones such as carnelian and amethyst may be used, as well. The most common and least expensive material is sandalwood. In Buddhist Tantra or Vajrayana, materials and colors of the beads can relate to a specific practice.

All substances have energetic properties. Minerals have certain properties caused by their colors and the naturally occurring component substances from which they are composed. For example, crystal, which is clear quartz, is the same basic element used in silicon computer wafers, and we know what silicon has enormous electrical properties from a scientific, measurable standpoint. Crystal can aid you in amplifying and projecting positive energy. Crystal can also attract negative energy if used improperly. It has been found to be purifying to our subtle bodies. But, minerals do not have mental or sensing consciousness, as do sentient beings like us. Minerals are really neutral materials.

But, simply wearing a Mala all the time does not produce power, as it must be used with thought. Also, how frequently you wear it and on what part of the physical body will produce different effects.

Can wearing Malas ever be harmful?

Yes, a few words of caution are in order here.

The semiprecious stone Malas should not be worn on the wrist or around the neck for days on end. It may interfere with your own electrical system, call “Chi” by the Chinese, “Winds and Channels” by the Tibetans and “Psychic Energy” by the Ancient Wisdom students. There are many names for this, but you must be careful how often you keep it on your body so that your natural currents and nervous system are not constantly interrupted.

Care and Use of Your Mala

Is a Mala sacred? Yes, if you treat is as sacred, especially if used for spiritual practice. As a sacred tool it will build and maintain your energy and last for many years.

The Mala, rosary or prayer beads are not jewelry and should not be considered such. The Mala would be best seen as inseparable from God, Buddha, or the Deity. If one treats the Mala with respect and care, and the magnetism of it will grow proportionately. Having your Mala blessed by a senior disciple, holy person, respected practitioner, priest, lama or Guru is very beneficial.

“Every Buddhist tradition stresses that the beads must be cared for as if they were a precious sutra or a Buddhist robe…considering we use them to recite mantras. Then there is the fact…the mala is meant to be worn when not is use. Thus to use a mala is both to take up a spiritual text and to clothe oneself in the truth of the Buddhist way. (Tricycle, Clark Strand; winter 2006, pg 40.)

How should I use a Mala?

Malas are used by moving it through your fingers beginning at the first bead after the Guru bead. Each time you recite one compete mantra you then cross to the next bead. Once you have gone one round across the Mala and reach the Guru bead you reverse directions. Most people hold the belief that as a sign of respect towards a spiritual teacher, you do NOT cross over the Guru bead. Use your Mala with the intention to bring greater happiness, joy, loving, kindness and serenity into the world. If you do, it will be a source of deep blessings in your life.

When you look at your Mala let your mind be gently reminded keeping a positive state of mind, wishing good to others and opening yourself up to auspicious and blessed states of being. The Mala then is an aid in drawing the mind closer to the deity, the celestial and divine sources from within you and around you. It is a tool to bridge the mind to deity.

Recitation of mantra while holding your mala will benefit a greater number beyond yourself alone. Use as often as you can with whatever time and level of commitment to spiritual practice you now possess. You do not need to hurry when reciting mantra. It is important that you use the sound of your voice which helps purify speech, resonating throughout all the atoms, cells, organs and subtle parts of your bodies. The sound of sacred mantra calms and protects the mind. At the same time, mantra awakens the creative aspect of your being. Using the Mala in this way will purify not only your speech, but mind, emotions and body too.

Do not lay it on the ground or floor. If you drop it on the ground, clean it off, and place it on the crown of your head as you say a prayer of blessing from your native tradition.

Store your Mala in a safe place, preferably a Mala bag. Do not crumple crush it and put in your pants pocket, as this may damage the cording causing it to break prematurely.

The cording or wire used to string the Mala will eventually break with use over time. Even though this is a natural process, we like to think of this as a positive expression of the law of cause and effect, creating good karma. The more you use the Mala to pray and recite mantra the sooner it wears out. However, this is not to suggest one shouldn’t treat it well. When it eventually breaks, this is a constant reminder of the Lord Buddha’s principal teaching on Impermanence…in summary, “all things are subject to dissolution, decay and change.”

The Mala should not be worn while bathing, or allowed to get wet, as this may weaken the cording which many malas are strung with.

It would be wise to remove your Mala before retiring at night or while sleeping, as stress can be exerted on the cording which may cause it to break. Also, the potentially turbulent or negative mental and emotional activity during sleep may affect the mala’s accumulated energy.

Generally, don’t pass it around when you are with others who are not Dharma or spiritual practitioners, as the Mala will lose energy developed during prayer or meditation.

Do not let other people handle it as an object of idle curiosity. Touching someone with your Mala as an act of blessing or healing may be appropriate, if they allow you or ask you to.http://mitziconnell.com/mala-beads-what-are-they-what-do-they-really-represent/