What Is Mala?

People who meditate a lot must be familiar with Mala. Mala is a loop of 108 prayer beads, which is the most common among Buddhist bead bracelets. In Sanskrit, the word "mala" is literally translated as a meditation wreath. At the same time, the number 108 holds great significance in Buddhism, and contains profound meanings of Buddhist culture. This number is generally perceived to represent the Buddhist believers seeking to verify the 108 Samadhi and eliminate the 108 afflictions. People believe that this number will also bring them good luck and auspiciousness, thus achieving a certain state of stability and tranquility in their body and mind. In Hinduism, Jainism, as well as Buddhism, the number 108 is a sacred or "perfect" number that also corresponds to the traditional number that specifically refers to the name of a deity.

Wearing Mala not only means eliminating 108 kinds of afflictions, meaning a worry free and smooth life, but also has the effect of protecting oneself and ensuring safety.

The Origin of Mala

Mala are recorded to originated approximately 3000 years ago in Indian tradition. A long time ago, Indians had the habit of wrapping themselves with the Lilu Xi stick, which has gradually evolved into the Buddhist beads used today.

The Types of Mala

Mala could be classified into two major categories based on structure.

Plain bead style refers to a Mala bracelet without any combinationg, only consisting of sub beads, Buddha head three-way, disciple beads, and back clouds (optional).

Tibetan Buddhist beads literally refer to the long string of Buddhist beads that are very common and popular in Tibetan Buddhism and they are often added to additional beads (waist beads, top beads), counters and other combinations on the basis of plain beads.

Common Mala Beads Materials

Wooden Type

There are many people who wear wooden Mala bracelets on a daily basis, and they mainly wear plain bead styles. Wooden beads are commonly used in burning incense, worshipping Buddha, and passing incense burners. However, due to the wide variety and uneven quality of woody Mala, there is a phenomenon of a large number of fakes that appear to be real, especially for several precious woods. Therefore, it is recommended not to easily purchase high priced wooden Mala bracelets if you do not understand how to distinguish between high and low quality. The most common wooden Mala include: small leaved rosewood, Hainan yellow pear, old sandalwood, and agarwood, etc.

Bodhi Beads

As the main force behind the rise of Mala, bodhi beads have always been a popular choice, especially among cultural relics collectors and lovers. Bodhi is commonly found in Tibetan Buddhist beads and the most common ones include: Star Moon Bodhi, Bodhi Root, Vajra Bodhi, Phoenix Eye Bodhi, etc.

Wood Attributes (non wood)

At present, in addition to wood and bodhi, there are also some wood based materials that are also very popular on the collecting market, such as Indonesian coconut stalks, olive kernels, passion seeds, etc.

Ores

There are different opinions on the seven treasures of Buddhism. The mineral materials chosen as sub beads cover a wide variety, which are as cheap as ordinary obsidian bracelets and as expensive as high porcelain blue green pine bracelets. The price range is quite large. Here are several common materials: South red, honey wax, green pine, etc.

How to Thread Mala

Strictly speaking, the thread that passes through each Mala bead should follow the records in the Buddhist scriptures. For example, those used for eliminating obstacles should be made of white silk thread while those used for the practicing Buddhism should use yellow silk thread. What’s more, for those who want to gain more respect from others, they should use Mala made of red silk thread and for those who help others to eradicate the causes of their wrongdoing with compassion and tough means should use black silk thread. Some Mala may even use the thread twisted together with the four types of colors mentioned above. However, in real life, if it is not for the special requirements of practicing Buddhism, there is actually no need to pay such special attention to the color of Mala threads. It is acceptable to use just white or dark nylon hard thread. To use elastic thread is not recommended, as elastic thread is not strong enough and could easily become loose in a year or a half.

And the length of the thread that passes through the Mala bead also needs to match the bead itself. Being too loose or too tight is not inappropriate. According to Buddhism itself, a thread that is too long or too loose symbolizes hard to success in one’s career, while a thread that is too short or too tight means a life that is too short. What’s more, from a practical perspective, it is not convenient for individuals to wear a Mala if its thread is too long or too short. In addition, when threading Mala, it is necessary to start from the mother bead and then thread it down in sequence. This way of threading is the correct way recognised by Buddhism.

Precautions for Wearing Mala

1. Wearing on the left hand. The left hand is considered a compassionate hand in Buddhism, while the right hand is the hand that holds weapons, so wearing it on the left hand is to follow and to show respect to the Buddhist cultures as well as beliefs. Meanwhile, due to the fact that most people tend to use their right hand when doing things, wearing a Mala on their left hand can effectively avoid it being damaged.

2. Don't wear a Mala on your wrist to the bathroom, and you can take off the bracelet and put it in your shirt pocket if necessary. In summer, you can also have your Mala hanging close to your neck but please bear in mind that do not put it in your pants pocket.

3. Don't wear a Mala when you are smoking or drinking alcohol or after touching things like onions, garlic, chives with your hands. Besides, please do not spit smoke onto your Mala bracelets.

4. When not in use or wearing, Mala should be placed in Buddhist temples or in front of Buddhist statues. Believers with incense can also lit one to scent the Mala after waking up every morning.

5. Do not touch other people's Mala casually.

6. Do not touch the Mala with hands that have touched unclean things such as meat or fish. Wash your hands before touching it.

7. Don’t wear the Mala anymore if it’s already been severely damaged, and you can throw it into clean ravine streams or lakes.

8. When using Mala as a counter, do not flip the beads after finishing a circle. Instead, you should count continuously in a loop.

9. Do not swing the Mala casually while reciting scriptures, and place them above your waist to count solemnly.

The Function of Mala

Although Mala were originally used for meditation, and holding in the hand for recitation and counting, nowadays more and more people like to have them hanging around the neck or wrapping them around the arms to serve as an ornament, which also have various profound meanings. The common functions of wearing Mala are as follows:

To Increase Prosperity, Avoid Danger And Ensure Safety

For Buddhist believers, the Mala, or all the Buddha beads, is an important treasure for practicing Buddhism. Wearing the Mala when reciting the scriptures can increase merit, promote Buddhist spiritual practices , and receive the protection from various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

To Concentrate And Eliminate Distractions

Wearing Mala is helpful in reminding us not to forget Buddha's instructions when reciting the scriptures and eliminating distractions, avoiding our attention being diverted, and allowing our bodies and minds to be more focused. Therefore, holding a Mala enables one to recite at any time to increase concentration and generate wisdom, and thus allow the body and mind to focus and let go of everything.

Avoiding Evil Spirits And Casting off Predicaments

For many believers, reciting with the blessed Mala can have great blessing power, achieving effects such as warding off the evils and eliminating evil spirits. At the same time, with the power of recitation blessed by highly ranked monks, the wearer can receive the protection of various gods and Buddhas, so as to seek good luck, peace, as well as wealth, and all wishes can be fulfilled smoothly.

To Serve as An Ornament to Improve One’s Temperament

Mala have now become a popular ornament and plaything in the world. They are not only popular in China, India, Malaysia, and other eastern countries, but even some big companies in the United States have various types of Mala for sale. Many Westerners also like to wear one or two strings of Mala on their wrists as decorations.

In fact, wearing Mala is meritorious. Mara has a wide variety of styles and an elegant appearance. In addition to the most basic function such as protecting the wearer from evil spirits and ensuring their safety, it is also used as a fashionable accessory to complement clothing, highlighting a noble and elegant temperament.

Precious Collecting Value

Mala are an artistic and collectible small object. With the passage of time and the development of Buddhist culture, for those rare and precious high-quality Mala, their value not only increase a lot, but they also serve as priceless treasures for collection and transmission. In addition, Mala have a rich historical as well as cultural heritage, showing the charm of religious art. Chinese people have a long history of collecting and playing with Mala, from high-ranking officials to ordinary people, including palace treasures and folk collections.

At the same time, for the people of the Chinese nation, who have inherited the wisdom of over 5000 years of civilization from their ancestors, their personal wisdom, thoughts and emotions are integrated into each Mala bead, thus showing various form of art in it. After being careful carved, the already precious Mala material is endowed with greater artistic value. It is because of the uniqueness of Mala that more and more people are crazily obsessed with them.

The Meaning of Wearing Mala

To Complet Merits And Virtues

The circular shape of the Mala bracelet symbolizes the fulfillment of merits and virtues. Completing one's merits and virtues brings great joy to everyone. On the path of practicing Buddhism, taking others to practice together is also a way to complet merits and virtues. Before you achieve great success, the Mala in your hand will constantly remind you to do everything well and when you finally complet your merits and virtues, your inner self would become prosperous and calm. At this point, you would also discover the beauty of the world.

To Feel Comfortable

The circular Buddhist bead feels comfortable to the touch, and is also relatively easy to pluck when reciting scriptures. Can you imagine the situation of plucking square or other shaped beads? The circular Mala are not only convenient to use, but also look very comfortable in appearance, which is more in line with people's aesthetics. So it's not just Mala, the vast majority of beads bracelet are made of round beads, which are easy to wear and beautiful, and won't make you feel uncomfortable. Wherever a person wearing a Mala bracelet goes, there is a peaceful atmosphere. He will not be disgusted by others for not completing merits and virtues, but will use his own cultivation to influence and inspire others.

Endless Growth And Vitality

Mala bracelet, looks round from the top, the bottom, the left as well as the right, and seems boundless. The head is the tail and the tail is also the head. Every time you finish a reciting of the scriptures, it's like a cycle of reincarnation, a passing on of faith. It's as if our life is going on forever.

Spiritual Support

Nowadays, you will see more and more people wearing Mala, and celebrities are no exception. Mala are not only a fashionable item for them, but also a spiritual sustenance for a peaceful life. Wearing Mala can remind oneself to calmly deal with various situations, help people to be able to adjust their mentality, be smooth in dealing with things, not to be worried or feared, not to be arrogant or irritable, and reduce the control of unhealthy psychology on oneself.