A Mala is a strand of beads, usually 108, that is used for meditation or prayer. Mala meditation, known as Japa, involves the repetition of a mantra, divine power’s name, prayer or intention. The specific practice of using beads has its roots in the Buddhist and Hindu religions, although various forms of repetitive prayer are used in most of the world’s religions.
Mala beads are commonly made from wood, seeds, bone or semiprecious stone. The 108 beads are used to keep count while chanting or mentally repeating. Mantras can be repeated hundreds to thousands of times.
Why use mala beads?
A lot of people have trouble focusing or staying present during meditation. With malas, you can focus on the meaning of your mantra rather than losing focus by counting the repetitions. Despite its roots in religion, anyone, regardless of beliefs can use mala beads to create a sense of tranquility and inner-peace. If repetitive meditation isn’t for you, you can also wear a mala as a necklace or bracelet to remind you of an intention throughout the day.
How do I use mala beads?
Hold the mala in your hand, starting at the largest bead, known as the guru bead or mountain bead – it often has a tassel at the end. Repeat a mantra of your choice as you lightly turn each of the smaller beads toward you with your thumb. One bead = one repetition (don’t count the mountain bead). Continue until you reach the large bead again, making a full round of 108. You can either end your meditation there, or continue on for several more rounds of 108. To start again from the large bead, turn the mala around and go back in the direction you came from.
While anyone can use mala beads, different traditions call for specific hand/finger placement or movement while meditating/praying. Some say that the reason for using your thumb to turn the beads rather than the index finger is because the index stands for the ego.
Examples of matras or intentions:
A sound such as “Om”
A positive word such as “love,” “strength” or “peace,”
A phrase such as “I am present,” “I am relaxed” or “I am healthy.”
A favorite prayer
Why are there 108 beads on a mala?
There are many significant interpretations of the number 108 based on spirituality, astronomy and geometry – here are several of them:
In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, there are 108 worldly sins that a person must overcome to reach enlightenment or nirvana.
Chakras are the intersections of energy lines in the body, and there are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra.
Some people believe that 1 stands for God or higher Truth, 0 stands for emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice, and 8 stands for infinity or eternity.
In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 equals 108.
The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth. The distance from the Sun to the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun.
In geometric terms it is a natural division of circle (108=36+72=9 X 12).
108 is a Harshad Number, an integer divisible by the sum of its digits. Harshad is Sanskrit for “joy-giver.”
Modern Gnosticism says that we have 108 chances or lifetimes to eliminate our egos and transcend the material world to continue the spiritual evolution.
Want to start using mala beads for your own practice? There are tons of options to choose from on Etsy, or you could try making your own.