Category: Ritual Objects | Tradition: Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism | Origin: Nepal, India, and Tibet
Other names: Sanskrit: mālā (माला), meaning "garland" | also called prayer beads, mala beads, japa mala or meditation beads
A mala is a string of beads used to count the recitation of mantras and prayers. The word comes from Sanskrit and means "garland." Malas are used in Tibetan Buddhism, where they are among the most personal of all ritual objects, and in Hinduism, where they are called japa malas, from japa, the repeated recitation of a mantra or a divine name. A mala may be held in the hand, worn around the neck or wrapped around the wrist. This guide explains what a mala is, where it comes from, what its parts and its numbers mean, how it is used, the main types, and how to care for one.
What Is a Mala?
A mala is a loop of beads strung on a strong cord, with a larger bead marking where the circle begins and ends. A practitioner moves through the beads one at a time, reciting a mantra or a prayer with each one, so that the beads count the repetitions and the mind is free to stay with the recitation. In this way the mala serves as a simple, physical support for concentration.
The most familiar form is the full-length mala of 108 beads, held in the hand during practice. Shorter malas, such as 54 and 27 beads, and small wrist malas, are also used. Malas are made from many materials, including seeds, woods, bone and stones, and they are often finished with a tassel and, in the Tibetan tradition, with small counters. Many people treat their mala with great respect, and a new mala is often taken to a teacher to be blessed. Our malas are not blessed when they are made. We arrange a blessing only at the customer’s request, on the customer’s behalf.
The Parts of a Mala
Although a mala looks simple, each part has its purpose.
• Counting beads: the main body of the mala, made of beads of the same size and material, usually 108 of them.
• Guru bead: a larger bead, head bead, often called the guru bead, where the count starts and ends. It is not counted as one of the recitations.
• Counters: on a Tibetan mala, two short strings of ten small beads, often with a tiny vajra on one and a bell on the other, which help to keep count of completed rounds.
• Spacers and markers: small beads set at intervals, for example every 27 beads, so that the count is easy to follow by touch.
• Cord and knots: a strong cord, usually with a knot between the beads to keep them apart and to protect the strand if the cord breaks.
• Tassel: a decorative tassel at the head bead, which is often part of the finish.
What Do 108 and 100 Mean?
A traditional Tibetan Buddhist mala commonly has 108 counting beads, plus the head bead. In a widely used Tibetan counting convention, the practitioner recites one mantra for each counting bead, but a complete round is credited as 100 mantra recitations. The additional eight provide a margin for possible miscounts, mispronunciations or lapses in concentration.
The number of beads can also have a ritual significance. Himalayan Art Resources, which documents Tibetan ritual objects, notes that a mala of 100 beads is associated with peaceful activities, and one of 108 beads with increasing activities. These are traditional ritual classifications and not rules for every mala used today, since 108 is the most common count in modern practice.
The number 108 also has a special place in Hindu and Buddhist culture, and there is no single explanation accepted by every school. Some traditions link it with the mental afflictions that practice is meant to overcome, and others see it simply as a sacred number that gives a complete and balanced round. When a mala has a different count, such as 54 or 27, it is usually a fraction of 108. If you wish to follow the counting rules of a particular practice, it is best to ask your teacher.
Where the Mala Comes From
Prayer beads have developed in different religious cultures over many centuries, and there is no single origin story for all of them. In India, a string of beads for counting prayers has long been part of Hindu devotion. Buddhism took up the practice, and as Buddhism spread to Tibet and the Himalayas, the mala became a key part of daily practice for monks, nuns and lay practitioners.
The Tibetan mala developed its own features, including the head bead, the counters and the use of particular materials for particular practices. Because the mala is carried and used daily, it is one of the most widely owned ritual objects in the Buddhist world.
The Mala in Tibetan Buddhism
In Tibetan Buddhism, the mala is used to count the recitation of mantras, such as Om Mani Padme Hum, and the prayers of many other practices. A round of the mala is a unit of practice, and practitioners often commit to completing a certain number of rounds or a certain total of mantras.
The counters, which Tibetans often call by a name that means roughly "counters," allow a practitioner to track a large number of recitations. They are usually two short strings of ten small beads, often decorated with a tiny vajra and a bell, and they are moved as rounds are completed. One string keeps count of the rounds, and the other counts each ten rounds, which allows the count to reach thousands. The arrangement can differ between practitioners.
When a practitioner reaches the head bead, the usual custom is not to pass over it, but to turn the mala around and begin the next round in the opposite direction. A mala is generally seen as a personal religious object, so it is customarily kept clean, kept off the floor and not handled carelessly.
The Japa Mala in Hinduism
In Hindu worship, a mala is used for japa, the repeated recitation of a mantra, a divine name or a prayer. A japa mala usually has 108 beads and a larger bead called the meru or sumeru. Different materials are associated with different devotions. Rudraksha seeds are especially linked with Shiva, tulsi wood with Vaishnava devotion, and sandalwood and crystal are also used.
The Hindu japa mala and the Tibetan Buddhist mala are related objects with a shared history, but they are used in different religious contexts, with different mantras and customs. The way a mala is held, turned and cared for can differ between the two traditions.
What a Mala Symbolizes
A mala carries several layers of meaning, and these differ between traditions and teachers.
• Continuity and completion: the circle of beads suggests an unbroken cycle of practice, completed round after round.
• Devotion and focus: the beads give the hands a simple task, which supports the mind in staying with the mantra.
• The teacher: the head bead is popularly said to represent the guru, though it also has the practical role of marking the start and end of the round.
• Dedication: each round is offered with the wish that its merit may benefit all beings.
Interpretations differ, so this is a general overview and not the only explanation. Some people also believe that particular beads protect or heal. These beliefs belong to faith and tradition, and there is no scientific proof that a bead has a medical or supernatural effect.
How a Mala Is Used
To use a mala, hold it in your hand and begin with the bead next to the head bead. Move from bead to bead, one at a time, with the thumb and a finger, reciting a mantra or prayer once with each bead, and keep your attention on the recitation. When you come back to the head bead, you have finished a round. In the Tibetan convention, you turn the mala around and begin the next round in the other direction.
There is no need to rush. A slow and steady pace, with attention on the sound and meaning of the mantra, is generally taught as better than speed. At the end of a session, many people dedicate the merit to the benefit of all beings. The exact mantras, the counting rules and the etiquette depend on the tradition, so it is best to learn them from a qualified teacher. People who use a mala for general mindfulness, for counting breaths or repeating a simple phrase, can follow the same movement of the beads.
Wrist Malas
A wrist mala is a small mala worn as a bracelet. It usually has fewer beads, often 18, 21 or 27 in some designs, although there is no single universal count. It is convenient to carry and to wear, and it can be used to count a short round of mantras, to mark breaths or simply as a reminder to practice during the day. A wrist mala is a good choice for beginners and for people who want a mala that is always at hand. Choose one that fits comfortably, and check the cord from time to time, since a bracelet gets more wear.
Types of Malas
Malas can be told apart by tradition and by material.
• Tibetan Buddhist mala: usually 108 beads, with a head bead, counters and a tassel. We sell mostly this kind.
• Hindu japa mala: usually 108 beads with a meru bead, often of rudraksha, tulsi wood or sandalwood.
• Wrist mala: a short mala worn as a bracelet, with fewer beads.
• Gemstone mala: a mala of beads cut from stones such as lapis lazuli, turquoise, coral or crystal, chosen for color and beauty.
• Seed and wood malas: malas of bodhi seed, rudraksha, sandalwood, rosewood and other woods, which are light and warm to handle.
Names and forms differ between regions and workshops, so this is a general guide.
Mala and Prayer Beads in Other Traditions
Prayer beads are found in other religions too, but their forms and uses differ. The table below is a short comparison and not a full account of each tradition.
|
Prayer beads |
Tradition |
Common arrangement |
|
Mala |
Hindu and Buddhist |
Often 108 beads and a head or meru bead |
|
Rosary |
Catholic Christian |
A crucifix and five decades of ten beads, following a set sequence of prayers |
|
Tasbih or misbaha |
Islamic |
Often 33 or 99 beads, used to count remembrance of God |
These objects may look alike, but they are not interchangeable, and each should be understood on its own terms.
Materials and Craftsmanship
Malas are traditionally made from natural materials. Seeds such as bodhi seed and rudraksha, woods such as sandalwood and rosewood, bone, and stones such as lapis lazuli, coral and crystal are all used. A note on bodhi seeds: they do not come from the Bodhi tree itself but from a tree related to the rudraksha. The beads are strung on a strong cord, usually with a knot between each one, and finished with a head bead, counters and a tassel. Handcrafted malas are strung and finished by hand, so small differences between pieces are natural.
Read more: What Is a Mala Made Of? | How Is a Mala Made? | How to Use a Mala?
Care and Placement
Treat your mala with respect, as you would any personal religious object. Keep it clean and dry, and when you are not using it, store it in a pouch or a clean place, off the floor. Do not leave it in damp places, in strong sunlight or near heat, and avoid wearing it in the shower or while swimming, since water and sweat weaken the cord and mark the beads.
Wipe wooden and seed beads gently with a dry, soft cloth, and avoid water and strong cleaners. Handle stone beads with care to avoid chips, and clean them with a soft cloth. Check the cord and the knots from time to time, and have the mala restrung if the cord begins to wear. A mala that is used every day will naturally darken and become smooth with handling, which many people value as a sign of long practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mala used for?
It is used to count the recitation of mantras and prayers in Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism, and sometimes to count breaths or repetitions in mindfulness practice.
Why does a mala have 108 beads?
108 is a sacred number in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and there are several explanations for it. It gives a complete and balanced round, and there is no single explanation accepted by every school.
Do Tibetans count 100 or 108?
A Tibetan mala commonly has 108 counting beads, and one mantra is recited for each bead. A complete round is credited as 100 recitations, and the extra eight serve as a margin for slips in counting or concentration.
What is the guru bead?
It is the larger head bead where the count starts and ends. It is not counted, and many practitioners turn the mala around when they reach it.
Are your malas blessed?
No. Our malas are not blessed when they are made. We arrange a blessing only at the customer’s request, on the customer’s behalf, and many people also prefer to ask their own teacher.
What are the small strings on a Tibetan mala?
They are counters, usually two short strings of ten small beads with a tiny vajra and a bell, which keep track of completed rounds.
Can I wear a mala as a necklace?
Many people do, but some practitioners keep their mala for practice. It is best to follow the customs of your own tradition and teacher.
Can beginners use a mala?
Yes. A mala is a simple way to begin a counting practice. To learn a particular mantra or tradition, it is best to ask a qualified teacher.
Explore Our Malas
Related entries: What Is a Prayer Wheel? | What Is a Vajra and Bell? | What Is a Damaru?