Meaning Behind Buddhist Malas and Popular Types

Meditation is a popular practice and an important part of Buddhism. Devotees often offer prayers to Lord Buddha by repeating certain mantras using Buddhist malas. The most common type of prayer beads they use is a string of 108 beads and it may be made of a variety of materials like seeds, wood, stones, or even bone. Some people also use wristbands made of 27 beads being easy to carry and use. 

Meaning Behind Buddhist Malas...

Prayer beads are an important part of Buddhism and indeed, both words 'Buddha' and 'Beads' derive from the same name source. They both derive from 'Buddh' a Sanskrit word which means 'self-realization'. It simply indicates that the ultimate goal behind these names is to encourage people to attain a supreme state of bliss in their life.

Mala - a strand of beads can consist of 108, 54, 27, 21 or 19 beads and is often used as a meditation aid since the 10^th century, as discussed by various devotees. According to those who meditate on daily basis using malas believe that it allows them to focus their mind on a single object or task. Therefore, a string is a powerful tool used for improving concentration and wellness.

Devotees believe that chanting with 108 beads mala help them stay focused and reach an interior state of self-realization. Meditating with blessed beads make people realize that that will have to leave behind all the desires and confront the truth of life. According to them, this is the first step towards supreme state of being.

Using Buddhist Malas...

The 108 beads string means 108 times recitation of mantras and usually it is divided into four parts using spacers. Most people prefer using it by their left hand and recite one mantra at one bead and then step to the next and the process continues till 108^th bead. Once all beads are finished with chanting prayers, they move a bead on the right beaded counter to the strand's upper side. The same process continues until the 10^th recitation and now all all moved to the upper side.

The other significance of Buddhist beads is to drive away the entire negativity and fill your inner self with peace and positive thoughts.

There are many stories behind the use of beads to offer sacred mantras that we cannot discuss in a single blog, so till I search and create another piece of information for you – keep reading....