Category: Ritual Objects | Tradition: Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism | Origin: Nepal, India, and Tibet
Using a mala is a simple, structured practice. You hold the beads, recite a mantra or prayer, move one bead for each repetition, and complete the round at the head bead. The beads count for you, so your attention can stay with the recitation. This guide explains the process step by step, from choosing a mala and a mantra to counting rounds, turning the mala at the head bead and ending the practice. It also covers how malas are used in Tibetan Buddhism and in Hinduism, how to use a wrist mala, and a short routine for beginners. Customs differ between traditions and teachers, so this is a general introduction. For a religious practice, it is best to learn the details from a qualified teacher.
Before You Begin
A few simple preparations make the practice easier.
• A suitable mala: choose a mala that is comfortable to hold, with a bead count that suits your practice. A full-length mala of 108 beads is traditional, and shorter malas and wrist malas are also used.
• A quiet place: sit where you will not be disturbed, on a cushion or a chair, with your back reasonably straight and your shoulders relaxed.
• A mantra or prayer: decide in advance what you will recite, so that you can begin without hesitation.
• Clean hands: wash your hands first, since the mala is a respected object that you will handle for the whole session.
How to Use a Mala, Step by Step
Here is the usual process, from start to finish.
• Step 1: Choose your mala. Check its bead count, its material and its cord. If you follow a particular practice, make sure it suits that practice.
• Step 2: Settle the body and mind. Sit comfortably, let your breathing slow down, and let go of the day's concerns for a moment.
• Step 3: Set your motivation. In Tibetan Buddhism, a practice begins with a good motivation, such as the wish that the practice may benefit all beings. Take a moment to form that intention.
• Step 4: Choose a mantra. Use a mantra or prayer from your tradition, such as Om Mani Padme Hum. For a simple mindfulness practice, you can use a short phrase or count your breaths.
• Step 5: Hold the mala. Hold the mala gently in one hand, and place your fingers on the first counting bead next to the head bead. Hand position varies between traditions, so follow your teacher's guidance. Keep the mala clean and do not let it touch the floor.
• Step 6: Recite and move one bead. Say the mantra once, silently or aloud, and then move to the next bead. Many practitioners draw each bead toward them with the thumb and a finger. Each bead marks one repetition.
• Step 7: Keep a steady pace. Go slowly enough to give each repetition your attention, and not so slowly that the mind drifts. Return gently to the mantra whenever your attention wanders.
• Step 8: Reach the head bead. When you come to the head bead, you have completed a round. In the Tibetan tradition, the head bead is not counted and you do not pass over it. You turn the mala around and begin the next round in the other direction.
• Step 9: Count your rounds. To keep track of several rounds, use the counters on a Tibetan mala, or keep count in your mind or in a notebook.
• Step 10: Dedicate and finish. At the end of the practice, dedicate the merit to the benefit of all beings, and sit quietly for a moment before returning to your day.
Counting Rounds
A full mala of 108 beads is one round. Shorter malas need more rounds to reach 108 repetitions, which is a convenient way to work out how long a session will take.
|
Mala |
Beads in one round |
Rounds to reach 108 |
|
Full mala |
108 |
1 |
|
Half mala |
54 |
2 |
|
Quarter mala |
27 |
4 |
|
Wrist mala |
Varies by design |
Divide 108 by the bead count |
In a widely used Tibetan counting convention, one mantra is recited for each counting bead, but a complete round is credited as 100 recitations. The extra eight give a margin for slips in counting or concentration. This is a convention of certain Tibetan practices, and it is not a rule for every mala. The counters on a Tibetan mala, short strings of ten small beads, usually with a tiny vajra and a bell, help to track completed rounds. One string counts the rounds, and the other counts each ten rounds, so the count can reach thousands. The arrangement differs between practitioners.
Using a Mala in Tibetan Buddhism
In Tibetan Buddhism, a mala is used to count the recitation of mantras, such as Om Mani Padme Hum, the mantra of Avalokiteshvara, and the mantras of many other practices. Practitioners often commit to a certain number of rounds, or a total number of mantras, and use the counters to track their progress. The mala is a personal religious object, so it is kept clean, kept off the floor and not handled carelessly or lent casually. Many people ask a teacher to bless a new mala, and the right mantra, the number of repetitions and the visualization depend on the practice, so a qualified teacher is the best guide.
Using a Japa Mala in Hinduism
In Hindu worship, a japa mala is used for japa, the repeated recitation of a mantra or a divine name. A japa mala usually has 108 beads and a larger meru bead, where the count begins and ends. As in the Tibetan tradition, the meru bead is not usually crossed, and the mala is turned around to begin a new round. Customs about the mantra, the way of holding the mala and the time of day differ between Hindu traditions, so it is best to follow the guidance of your own tradition.
Using a Wrist Mala
A wrist mala is a small mala worn as a bracelet, with fewer beads than a full mala. It can be used in several ways.
• Short mantra practice: move through the beads one by one while reciting a mantra, and divide 108 by the bead count to know how many rounds to do.
• Breath awareness: move one bead with each breath, or with each set of breaths, as a simple way to stay present.
• A reminder during the day: when you notice the bracelet, pause for a few breaths or repeat a short phrase.
A wrist mala is a good choice for beginners and for people who want a mala that is always at hand. Keep it clean and dry, and check the cord from time to time.
Using a Mala for Mindfulness Without a Mantra
Some people use a mala simply to count breaths, or to repeat a neutral word or a personal intention, without a religious practice. This is a reasonable way to start, and the same movement of the beads applies. At the same time, a traditional mala is a religious object in the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, so it is respectful to understand where the practice comes from and to treat the mala with care, even if you use it in a personal way.
A Simple Routine for Beginners
If you are new to using a mala, a short, regular routine is better than a long, irregular one.
• Choose a time: a regular time each day, such as the morning, helps the practice to become a habit.
• Start small: begin with a single round of 27 or 54 beads, or one round of a full mala, and add more as it becomes comfortable.
• Pick one mantra: stay with one mantra or phrase for a while, and do not change it from day to day.
• Be patient: when the mind wanders, return gently to the mantra, without frustration.
• End with dedication: finish each session with a moment of quiet and a wish that its merit may benefit others.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Rushing: moving through the beads quickly makes the practice mechanical. A steady pace works better.
• Losing count: if you often lose count, use the counters or work with a shorter round.
• Crossing the head bead: in the Tibetan and Hindu traditions, the usual custom is to turn the mala around and not to pass over the head bead.
• Treating the mala carelessly: avoid putting it on the floor, wearing it in the shower or leaving it in damp places.
• Mixing up traditions: a mala, a Catholic rosary and an Islamic tasbih are used differently, so follow the method of the tradition you are practicing.
Mala, Rosary and Tasbih: What Is the Difference?
Malas are sometimes called Buddhist rosaries or meditation rosary beads in English, but they are different from the Catholic rosary, which follows a set sequence of prayers across five decades of beads, and from the Islamic tasbih, which usually has 33 or 99 beads and is used to count the remembrance of God. Each of these is used according to its own tradition, so the way of using one should not be applied to the others.
Care and Blessing
Treat your mala with respect, keep it clean and dry, and store it in a pouch or a clean place. For more on caring for a mala, see What Is a Mala? Our malas are not blessed when they are made, and we arrange a blessing only at the customer's request, on the customer's behalf. Many people also prefer to ask their own teacher to bless their mala.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use a mala?
Hold it gently, recite a mantra or prayer once for each bead, move one bead at a time, and turn the mala around when you reach the head bead.
Which hand do you use for a mala?
It depends on the tradition and the teacher, so follow the guidance you have been given. Whichever hand you use, hold the mala gently and keep it clean.
What do you do at the head bead?
In the Tibetan and Hindu traditions, the head bead marks the end of a round. You do not usually pass over it, and you turn the mala around to start the next round.
How many rounds should I do?
There is no single number. Beginners can start with one round, and practitioners often take on a number of rounds as part of their practice. Your teacher can advise you.
Can I use a mala without chanting?
Yes. Many people use a mala to count breaths or repeat a simple phrase. A traditional mala is still a religious object, so it is respectful to treat it with care.
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 use a wrist mala for meditation?
Yes. A wrist mala works the same way as a full mala, with fewer beads, so more rounds are needed to reach 108.
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.
Explore Our Malas
Related entries: What Is a Mala? | What Is a Mala Made Of? | How Is a Mala Made? | What Is a Prayer Wheel?