Buddhist rosary, mala rosary in Buddhism. Buddhist rosary Japanese rosary

Buddhist rosary - a necklace with grains strung on it, used for counting prayers. The most common Buddhist rosary has 108 grains (the sacredness of this number goes back to ancient Indian magic practice). Quite often there are beads with 54 and 27 grains (1/2 and 1/4 of 108, i.e. a shortened version). A rosary with 18 grains in honor of 18 arhats - Buddha's disciples, 21 grains - in honor of 21 forms of the goddess Tara, 32 grains - for counting 32 virtues or signs of Buddha. Prayer beads with 108 grains have spacers located on the strands after 18, 21, 27 and 54 grains - usually a larger bead than the rest.

A rosary with a red thread and a tassel is intended for the practice of tantra.

Rosary beads have special names and contain a hidden esoteric meaning, revealed only to those initiated into the Teaching. Rosary beads can be made of precious stones - lapis lazuli, coral, opal; wood - red, black, yellow sandalwood and fruit seeds;

The rosary is used by followers of almost all religious systems to count the number of prayers and mantras recited, rituals and bows performed. However, in Buddhism, the rosary also plays the role of an object in which information related to the main philosophical and practical aspects of the Buddha's Teachings is codified.

Buddhist prayer beads (in Sanskrit: mala; in Tibetan: prenba) are made of wood, bone, stone or metal. In this case, the material is often chosen in connection with one or another of its energetic or mystical influence on a person or the environment.

So, for example, juniper rosary has the ability to scare away evil spirits and eliminate harmful influences; rosary beads made of red coral and dark blue lapis lazuli have the same properties.

Prayer beads made of sandalwood, rock crystal and pearls serve to soothe, remove obstacles and diseases.

Gold, silver, copper, amber, made from lotus seeds or bodhi tree - increase life expectancy, promote the development of wisdom and increase spiritual merit.

Prayer beads made of crystal, sandalwood, lotus seeds or bodhi seeds are also recommended when conducting the practice of offering puja to all benign (peaceful) yidam (aspects of Enlightenment) and Guru yoga.

For mystical practices, especially those associated with angry yidams, they use a rosary made of juniper, ebony or mahogany, bone, black crystal, agate, black coral.

Warrior monks often wear iron rosaries, using them, if necessary, as an improvised weapon.

There are also rosaries made of knots tied in a special way. Moreover, each knot is tied with the recitation of certain mantras, prayers and the performance of special contemplations.

Especially appreciated by the followers of the Buddhist tradition of Vajrayana ("Diamond" or Secret Chariot) rosary made from the bone of the frontal part of the human skull. 108 skulls are used to make such a rosary, which is possible only in Tibet, where traditionally the corpses of the dead are not buried in the ground (due to the absence of such in the mountains) and are not burned (due to the absence of a tree), but are left in special places where the corpses are quickly pecked by the mountains vultures, after which only the skull and bones remain of the corpse. Since such beads are very rare, it is more common to find simply bone rosaries (made of human or animal bones), each bead of which is made in the form of a miniature skull.

The classical number of beads in a Buddhist rosary is 108. However, there are also rosaries with a different number of beads. In any case, the number of beads codifies certain provisions of the Teaching. So, for example, 108 classic rosary beads symbolizes 108 kinds of desires (Skt .: tanha) that darken the human spirit:

a) desires associated with the six senses: sight, touch, smell, taste, hearing and mind (6);
b) in relation to objects of the past, present and future (3);
c) to internal and external objects (2);
d) three ways of manifestation: in thoughts, in words and in actions (3).

Hence - the canonical numbers of Buddhism:

6x3 = 18;
- 18x2 = 36;
- 36x3 = 108.

There are other decryptions of the number 108, however, this is the most common. The rosary is divided by an additional larger bead (109th), which is crowned with a cone-shaped or cylindrical bead. The large bead symbolizes the Prajna Wisdom, and the cone the Upaya Method. Most often, the 36th and 72nd beads are also made in a slightly larger size or in a different shape. From a cylindrical bead comes a "tail" of threads, the color of which is often associated with the vows taken in the tradition of one or another Buddhist School. So, for example, black color can mean acceptance of worldly vows (Skt .: upasaka, tab .: genen), red color - initial monastic vows, a message (Skt .: shramanera-, Tib .: getzul), yellow - full vows of monasticism ( Skt .: bhikshu, Tib .: gelong). The "tail" can be double - in this case one of its parts symbolizes the Practice of Merit, and the other - the Practice of Wisdom; or they can symbolize, respectively, the state of Clarity - shamatha and Insight - vipashyana. The fact that both parts come out of one bead symbolizes their unity-non-duality.

The rosary used by Vajrayana adepts is often much more complex both in its symbolism and in the manufacturing process. Often, such rosary beads also play the role of a kind of identification mark for initiates, indicating the level and type of spiritual practice of the owner of the rosary.

In addition to the general symbolism of the classical rosary, the Vajrayan rosary, especially among those initiated into the practice of wrathful yidams, are often performed in the form of skulls, which symbolizes the transience of this world or the Practice of transience. All beads and only dividing beads can be in the shape of skulls - the 36th, 72nd and 109th. It can be made in the form of a triple skull and only one large, 109th, bead. In these cases, the three skulls also denote three main obscurations - "poison" of consciousness: passion, anger and ignorance.

The base of the rosary (in the area of ​​the "tail" or instead of it) is often decorated with one of the tantric symbols of iron, bronze, silver or gold. By this symbol, you can roughly determine the type of tantras that the bead owner practices. Vajra is most often found as such a symbol, as a general symbol of Vajrayana or dharmachakra - as a symbol of the Buddha's Teachings in general. Gridug is often worn by lamas (as a symbol of cutting off any defilement) and initiated into the practice of angry yidams; metal mirror - practices of the Dzogchen system; purbu - initiates into the practice of Vajrakilaya yidam, etc.

Vajrayan rosary is strung on a cord woven of 5 multi-colored threads: white, blue, yellow, red and green. These threads symbolize the five aspects of Enlightenment, expressed by the figures of the five Enlightened Tathagatas: Vairochana, Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha and Amoghasiddha. During the weaving of the cord, biji syllables are read and a special visualization of these Tathagatas is performed. Thus, the cord is charged with their energy. Five threads can be connected with the practice-mandala of one or another yidam - in this case, accordingly, mantras and visualizations change. Sometimes the cord consists of 9 threads - in this case, they symbolize the Yidam Vajradhara and the eight main bodhisattvas.

In addition to the central "tail", the Vajrayan rosary has two more - after the 36th and 72nd beads (in this case, these beads do not differ from others either in shape or size). Each of these "tails" is threaded through five small beads or discs. The two "tails" symbolize the Practice of Merit and the Practice of Wisdom, and the small beads symbolize the ten Perfections-paramitas, the first five of which refer to Merits, and the next five to Wisdom. Another option is often found, when all ten small beads are strung on the main "tail".

After making the rosary, it is consecrated by the Teacher-Lama or by the adept himself by conducting a special ceremony. Such beads acquire special magical and energetic properties that protect their owner and contribute to his tantric practices. These rosary beads must not be passed on to strangers, treated with negligence or disrespect. If the rosary becomes unusable (beads or a cord are erased), then they are re-consecrated during repairs, or they are burned with the recitation of mantras. Often, pilgrims leave their rosary on which they chanted 108,000 or more mantras in holy places. It is believed that in this case the fruits of the performed practices increase, which is understandable, given the connection that is established between the rosary and their owner as a result of systematic practices.

The rosary beads of the great Teacher-lamas, famous for their holiness and spiritual powers, are walled up in stupas or foundations of temples during their construction, put into statues of Buddha and yidams, placed on altars as relics. Prayer beads are often passed from teacher to student from generation to generation as a sign of spiritual continuity.

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Hello friends and readers of my blog! Ruslan Tsvirkun is with you again, and today we will talk about why a rosary is needed for meditation, how to turn or twist the rosary correctly when repeating the japa mantra, and how to make them with your own hands. For at least several thousand years people have been using them in their practice, and there is no exact date of their appearance, but undoubtedly their benefits are very great.

Rosary beads are a spiritual attribute of many traditions and cultures of the world. By right, the origin of the rosary can be attributed to the Vedic (ancient Indian) culture, it was from there that the tradition of repeating mantras and prayers on the rosary was born. Further, the tradition has spread to other currents, such as Buddhism, Islam, as well as Christianity, in particular Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and others.
In each culture or tradition, beads are given a different meaning, but in fact they have the same purpose - to repeat various mantras and prayers on them.

The rosary is an integral part of japa meditation and the chanting of some other mantras. When repeating mantras or prayers, in different traditions it is customary to count their number. It is difficult to be concentrated and at the same time in the mind to count the required number of repeated mantras, and the rosary is just the same serve for these purposes, so that the counting does not distract us on this. We just throw the beads over and count in this way.

In addition to the fact that it is convenient to count the number of repeated mantras on the rosary, the rosary also serves to use the sense of touch in meditation. Holding the bead between the fingers, we seem to be in contact with a mantra or prayer, and thus meditation becomes more focused..

By repeating the Mantra by ear, we engage our language, voice, ears and hearing in meditation. Reflecting on the meaning of the mantra - we occupy our Mind and Mind. Sitting with a straight back in, or in others, we engage our body in meditation. If you repeat the mantra while walking, then you can also do it as a meditative process. Thanks to the rosary, we additionally use our fingers and sense of touch.

How many beads are in a rosary

Traditionally, the rosary has 108 beads. Sometimes they are made by 54 beads, 36, 27, or 9. These numbers of beads are multiples of 108.

The meaning of 108 beads in a rosary

108 is a sacred number and has many esoteric meanings. One of them is infinity. It also exists:

• 108 major Upanishads (Vedic scriptures);
• 108 main names of God;
• 108 chief gopis (devotees of the Lord);
• in Vedic astrology there are 12 houses and 9 planets, 12 × 9 = 108;
• The sacred river Ganges spans 12 degrees longitude (79 to 91) and 9 degrees latitude (22 to 31) 12 × 9 = 108.

There are also other meanings of this number.

There are also 109 beads in the rosary of 108 beads, which is called the bead of God, and it is also called the bead Meru (the highest mountain described in the Vedas) or the bead of the Guru (spiritual teacher).

The Meru bead connects the ring in the rosary and on it don't repeat the mantra and do not step over through it.

Usually it is made larger in size than rosary beads, sometimes 2 or 3 beads are made together. In the photo, she looks like this.

The rosary is a spiritual item and must be kept clean. It is also not customary to demonstrate openly your meditation on a rosary.

Meditation, or prayer, is a rather intimate process. Therefore, while going through the rosary and chanting the mantra, it is advisable to keep the rosary hidden from prying eyes.
The rosary pouch does an excellent job with this task. You can buy a rosary bag ready-made or sew it yourself. Traditional pouches have an opening for the index finger, which usually does not touch the beads.

In the photo there is a bag for a rosary

How to make a rosary with your own hands

To make your own prayer beads for meditation, take 108 beads from
wood or other material and a long thread from 3 to 5 meters. It is better to use nylon or nylon thread so that your rosary does not break.

Step back about 20-25 centimeters from the end of the thread and tie the first knot on it. The knot should be sized so that it does not fall through the hole in the bead. After stringing the first bead, tie a knot after it and string the next one. Tie a knot after each bead.
After stringing all 108 beads and tying the last knot you have a string with beads, now take 109 large beads and thread both ends of your rosary into it and tie a knot. Everything, the rosary for meditation is ready.

Varieties of rosary

Traditionally, rosary beads are made from wood or plant seeds. Precious and semi-precious stones are also used. But my opinion is that this is overkill. The rosary primarily serves to focus during meditation, and to reduce attachment to the material things of this world through meditation. Gems will only increase the false ego and become more and more attached to material things.

In general, there is a very huge selection of rosary beads from all kinds of materials:

• the sacred Tulasi tree;
• the sacred tree Nim;
• Rudraksha seeds;
• lotus seeds;
• juniper;
• red coral;
• dark blue lapis lazuli;
• sandalwood;
• pearl;
• nephritis;
• rhinestone;
• silver;
• gold;
• copper;
• amber;
• boddhi tree;
• and even the bones and skulls of humans and animals.

Vaishnava rosary

Vaishnavas repeat mantras mainly on beads from Tulasi or Nim.

In India, the choice of rosary is simply huge, the eyes can scatter from different sizes and shapes. I took this photo in one of the Sacred Places of Vrindavan.

Shiva's rosary

Followers of Shiva use a rosary made from rudraksha seeds

Buddhist and Tibetan rosary

Buddhist and Tibetan rosary beads are made from all of the above materials, with preference for boddha wood, sandalwood and juniper.
Juniper, red coral and dark blue lapis lazuli are believed to deter spirits. In Tibet, rosary from human bones and animal bones are common. Bones are available there in connection with the Tibetan burial ritual. The body is not burned or buried, but given to be eaten by birds.

Japa Mala or how to correctly recite a mantra on a rosary

In another way, the rosary is also called "Mala", this is a Sanskrit term, which literally means "garland".

Rosary beads meditation technique

Take the first bead next to the large Meru bead with your right thumb and middle finger. Move your index finger to the side.
Mantras and prayers are not repeated with the left hand, since it is considered unclean.
After repeating the mantra once, move the rosary towards you, taking the second bead and repeating the mantra again, and so on until you read the mantra on each bead.

Having reached 108 beads and reciting the mantra on the last bead, you will thus complete one round of Japa. Turn the rosary in the opposite direction without stepping over 109 Meru beads, the last bead in this case now becomes the first and you can continue your Japa meditation further.

The second hand, if desired, can be placed in or another mudra of your choice.
There are no strict rules and regulations in the number of repeated mantras on the rosary; each one may have individual standards. Some people take vows to repeat a certain number of circles on the rosary, it all depends on your desires and aspirations.

How to properly use and store rosary

Use your rosary (Malu) as directed. This is not a souvenir or car decoration. As I said above, the rosary is intended for meditation and prayer.
Keep your Mala (rosary) clean. There are certain principles that it is advisable to follow if you use beads in your meditation. These principles relate to the proper storage and use of the rosary.

It is not recommended to use rosary with dirty hands. Hands are considered unclean after eating, after using the toilet, or after touching unclean objects. In this case, you need to clean your hands with water and only then take the rosary.

Do not put your rosary in the toilet, as the toilet is considered an unclean place and Japa Mala is thus defiled.
Do not show everyone your rosary - this is a rather intimate subject.

In the video, how to correctly sort and twist the rosary while repeating the mantra.

That's all, on the blog news, so as not to miss anything.

Best regards,

Reading 5 min. Views 2.3k. Published 22.12.2015

Just like in many other religions, rosary beads play an important role in Buddhism. They are used to count the number of spoken prayers and mantras, bows performed and various rituals. In addition, important information is encoded in them, which carries a message to all followers of the philosophical doctrine. So how many beads are there in a Buddhist rosary, and what is the significance of it? Let's consider further.

Buddhist rosary and their meaning in religious terms

Buddhist prayer beads are pronounced prenva in Tibetan and mala in Sanskrit. Being cult affiliation, they can perform several functions at the same time:

1. Reminder of religious ritual, prayer... In some cases, the rosary helps to read the words of the prayer in a specific sequence.
2. Account device... When reciting a prayer or performing a certain religious action, the beads are laid aside. This makes it possible not to get confused in the number of rituals performed.
3. Using a rosary as a symbol... It is known that rosary beads are made from a specific material and have a certain number of beads. This has a special meaning. Depending on the traditions of the school and the desire to achieve some goal, a choice is made in favor of certain rosaries.
4. Rosary as a distinctive sign... This function flows smoothly from the previous paragraph. By the appearance and features of this attribute, it can be concluded that its owner belongs to a certain school of Buddhism and the degree of its preparation.
5. Counting out the rhythm... Some rituals, mantras and prayers require maintaining a rhythm, which helps to cope with the fingering of the rosary beads.
6. Maintaining concentration, fighting sleep... It is believed that fingering each rosary bead returns attention and focus on prayer or performing ritual activities.
7. Healing properties... It is believed that beads made of certain materials are capable of curing various bodily ailments.

Read on our website:

The concept of God in Buddhism

For example, Buddhist tattoos and their meaning are unusually deep. Sometimes you can find images of palms applied to the body, folded in prayer and with a rosary on the wrist. Also, a tattoo can be presented in the form of a monk or the Buddha himself, who is in the lotus position and a state of prayer, while holding in his hand this inalienable belonging of a follower of philosophical teachings. And this is not without reason: being an important cult attribute of the Buddhist religion, the rosary is considered a companion not only of faithful followers of Buddhism, but also of ordinary fans of its ideas.

It is also worth noting that some religious buildings of Buddhism can become a repository of sacred relics of various meanings. For example, it is not uncommon for the prayer beads belonging to the Master Lamas to be walled up in the foundations. Buddhist temples either in, or placed on the altar.

The number of beads in a Buddhist rosary

Why are there often 108 beads in Buddhist rosary and how can this be explained? The fact is that this figure is considered sacred in Buddhism, since it was established by the Buddha himself. A rosary with so many beads, according to the canonical traditions of the teaching, is composed of 9 grains 12 times. This is interpreted as follows:

• each lama (Buddhist monk), going on a journey, can take with him no more than 9 items;
• the number 12 contains seven and five;
• seven represents seven days of the week, seven stars of the Big Dipper, seven colors of the rainbow, seven notes;
• the five symbolizes the primary elements of nature.

There are other interpretations of the numbers 9 and 12. For example, nine is the number of months that should last from conception to the birth of a person ... In this case, the nine is repeated 12 times, that is, there are so many cycles (the so-called "zodiacs" or "branches" in Eastern cultures).

In addition, there are rosary beads with a different number of beads: 19, 21, 27, 33, 41, 50, 98, 143, 159. One way or another, all rosary beads are the embodiment of the multidimensionality of the world.

What is the meaning of the color and material of the rosary?

It is not for nothing that particular importance is given to the material and color of the beads that make up the rosary. Buddhists believe that certain rosary material is capable of carrying a special energetic and emotional message.:

• rock crystal (quartz) - helps to cleanse the mind and body;
• white sandalwood is the most "pure" material, embodying pacification, "coldness" of the mind;
• red sandalwood - concentration of energy, activity, warming (used in tantric practices);
• rudrakshas (dried fruits of the tree) - awaken powerful energy, strength, the ability to subdue the will of living beings according to good goals;
• seeds of the bodhi tree - such rosary beads are especially sacred, as they represent the stage of Buddha's Enlightenment, which took place under the bodhi tree;
• neem tree - has healing properties;
• juniper - protects from evil spirits, attracts positive energy;
• bones - reassessment of life, receiving joy from every moment;
• lotus seeds - a rosary made from this material is used mainly for worship

The silt of the sacred mantras is limitless. They are repeated many times in the hope of protecting oneself from everything bad, restoring health, comprehending the deep meaning of the universe, plunging into oneself. This is a universal tool that allows you to reveal your spiritual potential and direct your own energy in the right direction. Every word, every sound in mantras carries the deepest sacred meaning, because with their help a person calls out to Gods. Regular japa can be a blessing for those who are at a crossroads, looking for the right path to their own personality, seeking to know their inner world and cleanse themselves of the trash accumulated there. And the main tool for correct is the rosary - mala. This is the essence of the rosary.

Rosary beads as the basis of japa. The essence of the rosary

The history of Mala has several millennia. Rosary beads are a must-have for many yoga practitioners, because it is not just a symbol of any one spiritual tradition. Western people usually imagine them as a kind of beads, gathered together with a strong thread. Formally, this is exactly what it is - a mala is 108 beads strung on a thread. Both ends of this thread are fastened together with a 109 bead, from which a kind of tail is sometimes left. However, this is only the outer essence of the rosary - such an accessory acts as a keeper of energy, an object in which the true is accumulated through mantras. The thread serves as a symbol of the inner core, and the beads represent the visible component of the worlds.

Rosary beads are used when reciting mantras to count the number of repetitions. In principle, it is impossible to carry out calculations in the mind - this will prevent you from focusing your consciousness on the chosen mantra, which means that the result of such meditation will be zero. At the same time, it will not work completely without counting either - the number of repetitions is an important component of spiritual enlightenment. So, the initial level of practice is 108 thousand repetitions of the mantra - only then it is assimilated in the subconscious and gradually enters the mind. This number is a kind of reference point, the goal that the practitioner seeks to achieve.

On some rosary beads there are also special counters that allow you to record dozens and hundreds of repetitions of the mantra. This allows the meditator not to be distracted from immersion in himself and at the same time not to lose count.

What is a rosary for?

From the moment of birth, a person's consciousness is loaded with countless amounts of information that comes from outside. The realities of modern life are such that most of this knowledge only clogs the brain - television, mass media and the press bring little good and light to our life, and communication is not always beneficial, because all people are arranged differently. Consciousness overloaded with information needs to be purified through meditation, etc.

The deeper the practitioner plunges into a meditative state, the more unnecessary information hidden in the hidden corners of the soul is revealed to him. To sort out a huge amount of unnecessary junk, you will need maximum diligence and patience, so the counting of mantras is an indispensable companion of meditation. Mala helps to tune in to the right wave, not to be distracted from the practice and to approach prayer more consciously. However, the counting of mantras is, although the main, but far from the only purpose of the rosary:

• Concentration and attention. The use of malas during meditation requires a complete distraction from the external fuss and immersion in your own subconscious, where comprehension takes place. Therefore, sorting out the beads allows you to concentrate on the spoken mantras, not paying attention to what is happening from the outside.
• Control over body and mind. During meditation, sometimes hands involuntarily stretch out to fiddle with the surrounding objects, especially for those who are just beginning their acquaintance with Buddhist traditions. The rosary helps to avoid this, because if the hands are busy, then the mind is not distracted by extraneous objects.
• Touch. At the fingertips there are many nerve endings that are closely associated with the brain. The measured and monotonous fingering of the beads allows you to relieve stress and calm down, relax and restore the harmony of the nervous system.
• Accumulation of energy. Each time, turning over the rosary, the practitioner shares positive energy with the natural material from which they are made. Prayer beads are able to accumulate this flow and during the next meditation to share warmth and charge of energy with their owners.
• Healing functions. Since mala are a kind of accumulator of energy, touching them, you can get support in the most troubled hours of your life - with physical or mental ailments, a series of failures and a breakdown.
• Counting out the rhythm. Some mantras require a special rhythm to be chanted, and beads help to establish it.

Buddhist rosary were and remain a real relic for true adherents of the Teaching. It is not for nothing that the malas belonging to the great Teachers were walled up in stupas or foundations of temples, placed on the altar - great power is hidden in them, an indescribable flow of positive energy, light and goodness. Fingering bead by bead, the practitioners approach the sacred goal - to find their true purpose, to cleanse the soul and mind of unnecessary garbage, to become one step higher on the path of self-development and approach enlightenment.

Types of rosary

Varieties of sacred accessory for counting mantras countless a bunch of. Looking into the shop, you can be confused by the abundance of flowers and materials from which the rosary is made. However, it is a mistake to believe that external differences are the only difference between these types. When choosing a small, even the knot with which the ends of the thread is fastened matters. Tails threaded through a zero bead can mean the status of a rosary owner - from those who are just getting acquainted with the practice, and ending with dedicated monks and mentors.

Hello dear readers!

Today we will explore with you a very interesting topic - types of wooden Buddhist rosary. We will learn why they play such an important role in Buddhism, how and from what materials they are made, and what significance they have.

History of origin

Rosary beads first appeared in India in the second millennium BC. At that time, monks used them when reciting mantras for their own concentration. Placing the beads helped to activate the mind and prevent falling asleep during long rituals.

Subsequently, the rosary spread throughout the world, and there were also Muslim, Christian and Catholic rosaries. They look a little differently and have their own individual characteristics.

In Buddhism, beads are needed to count the number of mantras and prayers recited, as well as the number of rituals and bows that have been done.

So, let's first learn more about their structure.

Design and number of beads

Classic rosary beads are put on a cord, one end of which is connected to the other end, forming a circle.

They consist of 108 beads. The 109th bead holds the ends of the rosary, it is called the bead of God. A “tail” made of threads can be attached to this bead.

The threads can be of different colors, depending on the different traditions of the Buddhist schools. The 36th and 72nd beads are called spacers, and they come in a different size from the rest of the beads - larger or smaller.

Why exactly 108 beads? There are many versions, but the following is considered the main one: 108 is the number of worldly passions and desires of a person that prevent him from getting out of an infinite number of rebirths and achieving spiritual enlightenment.

Also rosary beads can consist of multiples of 108: 54, 27, 21, 18. They are also in the form of wrist bracelets - the number of beads in them may be less (if they are made in one turn), or the same.

Materials (edit)

The rosary is an amulet that protects its owner from evil spirits and negative energy, therefore, completely different materials are used for their manufacture, depending on the goal that the practitioner wants to achieve.

They can be made of wood (sandalwood, juniper, boxwood, neem), precious or semi-precious stones, gold, silver, and even human and animal bones. The material depends on the traditions and characteristics of different schools of Hinduism and Buddhism.

For example, Shaivists use rudraksha for beads, Vaishnavas use tulasi and niim, shaktas use crystals, metal, Buddhists use juniper, sandalwood, lotus seeds and seeds of the Bodhi tree, and Buddhists of Tibet use bones, precious or semi-precious stones.

Types of wooden rosary and their meaning

There is a belief that rosary beads made of different materials carry different healing properties that affect the human body. Having learned them, you can pick up small ones especially for yourself. Let's take a look at the most famous types of wooden rosary and their qualities.

Rosary from other materials

Prayer beads made from the following materials are less common, apparently due to the lesser availability of the materials themselves.

For example, these are beads made from human bones. They are quite popular in the tantric form of Buddhism. Making them is possible thanks to the rule that exists in Tibet - the dead are not buried there, but taken to special cemeteries.

The tradition of such rosary originates in the ancient pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet - Bon. Then they belonged to the most powerful shamans.

It is believed that meditation with them is special, capable of endowing a person with very great strength.

If such small ones are made of the frontal bone of the skull, then they have a special value, because it is in this area that the "third eye" is located. To craft them from 108 beads, you need 108 different skulls. Very often, instead of beads, images of small skulls are made.
The rosary is also made from the bones of yaks - animals that live in the mountains of Tibet.

Warrior monks made rosary beads from iron, and, if necessary, used them as weapons.

A rosary made of gold helps to prolong longevity, and silver beads bestow wisdom and ability to act in difficult situations to their owner.

Rosary beads made of black coral are used in Buddhist mystical rituals.

Malas made of pearls are very suitable for women, because pearls are a stone with feminine energy, it helps to reveal the creative potential of the wearer, soothes and gives joy.

Quartz rosary cleanses the mind, soul and body, and jade rosary helps to eliminate negative influences.

Conclusion

Today we got acquainted with different types of Buddhist rosary and examined in detail the healing qualities of malas made from various types of wood.
In the modern European world, rosary beads can be not only a religious or spiritual attribute, but also a wonderful ethnic adornment that will add zest to your appearance.