Purpose of Buddhist Prayer Beads
Buddhist prayer beads, also called japa mala, mala or the Buddhist rosary, help the faithful keep track of time while praying or meditating. According to Tibetan Buddhist Altar, there typically are 108 beads on a mala, which includes one large bead called the guru bead or mother bead. Specific meditations or mantras are recited using different prayer beads.
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Increasing Mantras
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Buddhists recite increasing mantras with mala made of gold, silver, copper or lotus seed beads. Increasing mantras are intended to endow Buddhists with knowledge and long life.
Appeasing Mantras
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Appeasing mantras use 100 white-colored prayer beads, made of pearl or crystal. These mantras are intended to clear the mind and body of health-related obstacles.
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Mantras to Tame by Forceful Means
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Mantras to tame by forceful means should be performed only by those experienced in Buddhist philosophy who are driven only by compassion. These should be performed using 25 to 60 beads of rudraksha seeds or human bone.
Mantras for Overcoming
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Mantras for overcoming fear should be performed with beads made of wood. Acceptable types of wood include elm, saffron, peach or rose. According to BuddhaNet, overcoming mantras use 25 beads for counting.
Other mantras
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Other mantras can be used to attract wealth, a spouse, power or protection. Mantras are used to absolve the faithful of sins and purify the mind and body.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Guyon Morée
