11-29-2022, 05:42 AM
How Do I Make Use Of Tibetan Prayer Beads. What Are Malas?
Mala is the Sanskrit name for the original prayer beads, which are used to count mantra and recitations. The mala can be used throughout Tibetan Buddhist communities around the globe, either tied around the wrists or hanging from the fingers. They are usually coupled with the humming of mantra recitations such as Om mani padme, Om tuttare, ture soha or mun maha-muniye soha. They are known as trengwa in Tibetan. It is typical for Tibetan Buddhists to recite certain mantras thousands on thousands of times. You can also use your rosary as a spiritual calculator. While it's not required to count, the mantra may be recited while moving bead by piece through the mala. This helps calm the mind and keep it in the right place. A string of 108 beads made of precious or semiprecious stones, wood, seeds bone, or wood is the most common kind. If you make 100 mantras as you go, then you'll be deemed to complete the mala. To make up any mistakes or miscounts, an additional 8 beads are utilized as "spare". The head bead is larger than the rest and is often called the guru bead. However, it's crucial to the circuit's starting point, but is not part of the total of 108 beads. Malas can also contain other precious stones at various intervals. They could contain coral or turquoise. Sometimes, these stones are added at intervals where you can count, like following 27 beads. The counter beads are then added, so your total number of beads would be 111, not 108. Another smaller mala is suitable for wrist use that has 27 beads. It's used to perform prostrations. The smaller size is wrapped around the hand and repeated four times. There are a variety of other arrangements that can be made including 21 or 22. This is fine so long as you are able to count using your mala.
Types of Malas
There are a variety of malas, from ivory and bone to lapis-lazuli, sandalwood or crystal or "Bodhi seed" (actually made from Rudraksha seed) or "lotus seed" (actually made from the seed of rattan). There are a myriad of theories on the internet about which mala is appropriate for which kind of prayer. We don't believe it is important what type you choose to use. We don't believe that Tibetans make much distinctions between types of malas. Monks and nuns typically utilize simple and affordable malas, such as wooden malas. You are able to choose any mala you'd like to use. It is recommended to stay focussed on your spiritual practice and the mantras that you recite, rather than on the appearance of the mala or the price it will cost you. Check out the top rated Bodhi Mala for recommendations.
![[Image: 81+8h45chWL._AC_UL600_SR600,600_.jpg]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81+8h45chWL._AC_UL600_SR600,600_.jpg)
How To Hold And Count With Your Malas
Like is the norm in Tibetan culture, we wish to emphasize that there are no rules about malas or the way to measure mantras. Everyone is different. While there are a variety of ways to do it, they don't matter as much as how you pray and what your intentions are. You're doing what is right if you pray with your heart and use your mala. While the majority of sources recommend keeping the mala in one hand, some Tibetans recommend placing it in the other. If you've got the prayer wheel on one hand, and a mala in the other the most common is to hold your mala in the left hand and your prayer wheel on the right. Malas is able to be used by beginning with the one closest to the "guru". The bead can be held between your thumb and index finger and repeat the mantra either loudly or quietly. Then, move on to the next beads by rolling your thumb. Repeat your mantra and repeat. When you are at the guru beads again, you will have accomplished 100 mantras. You don't need to count them all. The majority of Tibetans do not stop using the guru beads at this moment. They simply change the mala to the opposite direction, and begin a new one and 100 mantras. This is something we do as a matter of habit, and not because it is a special reason.
Caring for your Mala
The mala you have will become more sacred as you use it to recite mantras, bring it along to sessions, and get it blessed possibly by your spiritual guru. While it's not as sacred as a Buddhist scripture or statue, it is still something we respect. This means you should not put it on the flooring or pile everyday objects on top of it or throw it. Tibetans tie their malas around their necks and wrists when they are not in use. (Although it is important to note that they're not used as a necklace, but to show off, or to show self-esteem, or to demonstrate that one is spiritual.) It can be placed on the wall or in a place high enough to see from your altar if you don't require it. Ours is actually kept on the form of a bookcase beneath our altar. It's entirely up to you and how you treat it.
![[Image: P5081089-01_1024x1024.jpg?v\u003d1516743834]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0371/8597/products/P5081089-01_1024x1024.jpg?v\u003d1516743834)
Mala is the Sanskrit name for the original prayer beads, which are used to count mantra and recitations. The mala can be used throughout Tibetan Buddhist communities around the globe, either tied around the wrists or hanging from the fingers. They are usually coupled with the humming of mantra recitations such as Om mani padme, Om tuttare, ture soha or mun maha-muniye soha. They are known as trengwa in Tibetan. It is typical for Tibetan Buddhists to recite certain mantras thousands on thousands of times. You can also use your rosary as a spiritual calculator. While it's not required to count, the mantra may be recited while moving bead by piece through the mala. This helps calm the mind and keep it in the right place. A string of 108 beads made of precious or semiprecious stones, wood, seeds bone, or wood is the most common kind. If you make 100 mantras as you go, then you'll be deemed to complete the mala. To make up any mistakes or miscounts, an additional 8 beads are utilized as "spare". The head bead is larger than the rest and is often called the guru bead. However, it's crucial to the circuit's starting point, but is not part of the total of 108 beads. Malas can also contain other precious stones at various intervals. They could contain coral or turquoise. Sometimes, these stones are added at intervals where you can count, like following 27 beads. The counter beads are then added, so your total number of beads would be 111, not 108. Another smaller mala is suitable for wrist use that has 27 beads. It's used to perform prostrations. The smaller size is wrapped around the hand and repeated four times. There are a variety of other arrangements that can be made including 21 or 22. This is fine so long as you are able to count using your mala.
Types of Malas
There are a variety of malas, from ivory and bone to lapis-lazuli, sandalwood or crystal or "Bodhi seed" (actually made from Rudraksha seed) or "lotus seed" (actually made from the seed of rattan). There are a myriad of theories on the internet about which mala is appropriate for which kind of prayer. We don't believe it is important what type you choose to use. We don't believe that Tibetans make much distinctions between types of malas. Monks and nuns typically utilize simple and affordable malas, such as wooden malas. You are able to choose any mala you'd like to use. It is recommended to stay focussed on your spiritual practice and the mantras that you recite, rather than on the appearance of the mala or the price it will cost you. Check out the top rated Bodhi Mala for recommendations.
How To Hold And Count With Your Malas
Like is the norm in Tibetan culture, we wish to emphasize that there are no rules about malas or the way to measure mantras. Everyone is different. While there are a variety of ways to do it, they don't matter as much as how you pray and what your intentions are. You're doing what is right if you pray with your heart and use your mala. While the majority of sources recommend keeping the mala in one hand, some Tibetans recommend placing it in the other. If you've got the prayer wheel on one hand, and a mala in the other the most common is to hold your mala in the left hand and your prayer wheel on the right. Malas is able to be used by beginning with the one closest to the "guru". The bead can be held between your thumb and index finger and repeat the mantra either loudly or quietly. Then, move on to the next beads by rolling your thumb. Repeat your mantra and repeat. When you are at the guru beads again, you will have accomplished 100 mantras. You don't need to count them all. The majority of Tibetans do not stop using the guru beads at this moment. They simply change the mala to the opposite direction, and begin a new one and 100 mantras. This is something we do as a matter of habit, and not because it is a special reason.
Caring for your Mala
The mala you have will become more sacred as you use it to recite mantras, bring it along to sessions, and get it blessed possibly by your spiritual guru. While it's not as sacred as a Buddhist scripture or statue, it is still something we respect. This means you should not put it on the flooring or pile everyday objects on top of it or throw it. Tibetans tie their malas around their necks and wrists when they are not in use. (Although it is important to note that they're not used as a necklace, but to show off, or to show self-esteem, or to demonstrate that one is spiritual.) It can be placed on the wall or in a place high enough to see from your altar if you don't require it. Ours is actually kept on the form of a bookcase beneath our altar. It's entirely up to you and how you treat it.