Know the Origin, Use and History of Buddhist Prayer Beads

Prayer beads or malas are being used for centuries in the form of devotion and meditation. Any prayer or mantra is recited for each of the beads. These prayer beads are found in different religions like, Hindu-Jappa, Christianity-rosary, Islam-Subbah and Buddhist Prayer beads or mala. Buddha beads are found to be one of the most popular beads present in the market.

Many traditions are found by using these prayer beads. They are made from certain materials, where various symbols are carved or painted on them. Make of the beads also involves certain things like number of beads, how they are actually used and what religion they are from. As per the research, it is said that Buddhism is found to be the first to use beads as a form of meditation and devotion. In the Western culture, different western Buddhists have been created their own traditions; because most of the Eastern traditions are not found to be relative to these cultures. The main importance of practices is kept in that way that they can be done from different perspective. So, in this article, it will reflect how to use these Buddhist Prayer beads. And before knowing it, we need to know what exactly these beads are.

In the make of mala, combination of haiku, sonnets or limericks can be seen. This kind of prescribed framework should be worked within it. This kind of framework might involve number of beads, patterns of beads etc. There is always a guru bead, which ties the whole things into one and mostly a tassel, though the last is personal preference. In this guru bead, three holes can be seen prominently. The guru bead represents the guru or spiritual teacher. Choice of materials in those Buddha beads can vary widely. They can be created from wood, carved bone in the shape of a human skill, sandalwood, semi-precious gemstones, red sandalwood, Bodhi seed, precious metals, rosewood, and lotus seed in the sun and moon pattern etc. Malas can also be made from amber in Tibetal mala and they can be adorned with metal spacers, as the focal beads between the guru and the tassel. Any kind of stone associated with the Gautama, Shakyamuni Buddha can be used for these beads. Many quartz crystals can also be used, as they are highly associated with Quan Yin, the Boddhisattva of compassion etc. Beads made from Lapis lazulin stone depicts medicine Buddha Basaijaya Guru whose skin is in the lapis color.