A mala is a string of prayer beads used to count mantras, prayers or breaths during meditation. To use one, hold it in one hand, start at the bead next to the larger guru bead, and move one bead toward you with your thumb for each repetition. A full round is 108 beads. To keep going, turn the mala around at the guru bead instead of passing over it.
Why 108 beads?
Hindu and Buddhist traditions give many reasons for the number. A common Buddhist explanation ties it to the 108 afflictions of the mind that practice works to clear. Tibetan practitioners also give a practical one: count 100 recitations, and the extra eight make up for any you lose count of or say carelessly.
Shorter malas divide 108 evenly. A 54-bead mala is half a round, and a 27-bead wrist mala is a quarter, so four rounds make 108. You will also see wrist malas of 18 and 21 beads, which are common in Chinese Buddhism.
The parts of a mala
- Guru bead. The larger bead where the strand begins and ends, often finished with a tassel. It is not counted. Many teachers say not to pass over it, out of respect for the teacher it stands for.
- Counting beads. The 108 beads, or a division of 108, that you move through one by one.
- Marker beads. Some malas have a bead of a different size or color after every 27 or 21 beads, so you can keep your place by touch.
A simple mala practice
- Sit comfortably and hold the mala draped over your fingers, with the guru bead hanging below.
- Choose your mantra. Om Mani Padme Hum is a common choice; here is what it means. A single word or one slow breath works too.
- Starting at the bead beside the guru bead, recite once and draw the next bead toward you with your thumb.
- When you reach the guru bead again, pause. Turn the mala around if you want another round.
Traditions differ on which hand to use and which fingers to avoid. Many people use the right hand; Tibetan Buddhists often hold the mala in the left. Your teacher's lineage, if you have one, is the guide to follow.
Wearing a mala
A full mala can be worn as a necklace or wrapped several times around the wrist, and a wrist mala goes on like any bead bracelet. Many practitioners treat their mala with the same care as a prayer book. They keep it off the floor and store it in a pouch or on a home altar when they are not wearing it.
Choosing a material
Wood and seed malas are light and warm in the hand, and they are the easiest to wear around the wrist all day. Stone malas are heavier and cooler, and many people choose them for the stone itself.
- Golden Nanmu Wood Mala Bracelet, 108 Beads
- Red Sandalwood 108 Bead Mala Bracelet with Lotus Charm
- Lapis Lazuli 108 Bead Mala Bracelet with Red Turquoise
See every style in our mala collection.
