| Prayer beads were first used in Hinduism, and they | | | | often also made from Bodhi seeds because it is |
| are known in Hinduism as japa mala. Prayer beads are | | | | believed that the Bodhisattva first reached |
| also used in Christianity, both by Catholics to say the | | | | enlightenment underneath a Bodhi tree. Prayer beads |
| rosary, and also by Eastern Christians. Bahai's also | | | | are often also made from sandalwood, jade, |
| sometimes use prayer beads to recite 95 times per | | | | turquoise, plastic, and other materials. |
| day. In Buddhism prayer beads are often used, often | | | | Prayer beads are used by passing one's finger over |
| called the Buddhist rosary, and the number of prayer | | | | each bead in the mala, and saying a prayer or a |
| beads varies with different forms of Buddhism. A | | | | mantra as your finger passes each bead. The power |
| strand of prayer beads is called a mala, and the word | | | | of Buddhist prayer beads is awakened through |
| mala literally means garland or strand. | | | | prayer and meditation. As you use prayer beads |
| Get Prayers Sent To Your Cell Phone | | | | during meditation and think over the words as you |
| In Hinduism, where prayer beads began, a mala | | | | say or think them, then each bead becomes |
| contains 108 beads. This number, 108, is significant for | | | | significant to you in your heart. Prayer beads are a |
| many reasons. 108 is mathmatically significant | | | | tool in making you feel closer in your mind to your |
| because it is divisible by its function. Hindu deities also | | | | deity. You should look at your mala with love and let |
| have 108 names, and these names are often recited | | | | it remind you of the commitment you have made to |
| during religious ceremonies. Krishna is also said to | | | | renounce those things in your life which bind you. |
| have danced with 108 "gopis", cow-herd girls, and | | | | Prayer beads are not powerful unless you use them |
| later to have married 16,108 wives. | | | | and connect them to your mantras or prayers. |
| Buddhist prayer beads often have 108 beads as well, | | | | After you begin using prayer beads, treat them as |
| and the number 108 is significant in Tibetan Buddhism | | | | you would any sacred object. Don't place your prayer |
| because there are 108 sins. Tibetan Buddhists often | | | | beads on the floor, and keep them in a safe place. |
| use prayer beads with 111 beads, calculating 100 | | | | Prayer bead bags are often used to store prayer |
| beads as one mala, with 11 beads left over for | | | | beads in a safe place, and a bag will also prevent |
| errors. In China and Japan Buddhist practitioners also | | | | tangling or kinking of the string used for your prayer |
| use malas with 27 beads. Malas with 27 beads, or | | | | bead mala. |
| wrist malas, are typically used for prostration. | | | | Prayer beads should not be passed around after they |
| Prostration is where the practitioner works out the | | | | are used for meditation. Do not allow anyone else to |
| strains in the mind and the things that the mind tries | | | | handle your prayer beads after you have used them |
| to hold onto, anger, greed, jealousy, and so forth. | | | | in prayer or meditation, because this will make the |
| Typically prayer beads were made from Rudraksha | | | | prayer beads less significant for your meditation |
| seeds and Tulsi stem. In Buddhism prayer beads are | | | | practice. |