What Are Mala Beads? Discover Malas History, Materials and Use

1. WHAT IS a MALA

2. You have probably seen your yoga and meditation friends wearing tasseled necklaces

3. WONDERED? What are mala beads?

5. WONDERED? What are mala beads? A mala is a simple string of beads used in japa meditation to count mantras, prayers, or intentions

6. Malas can also be used to count breaths or used in a gratitude meditation

7. MALA Sanskrit word meaning garland Malas are a type of meditation beads or prayer beads and are ancient tools that were developed to keep the mind focused and clear from thoughts

8. A full mala contains 108 counting beads plus one guru or meru bead

9. Usually, a 108 bead mala is long enough to wear as a necklace A mala can also be strung as a half mala containing 54 beads Wrist mala with 27 counting beads to be worn as a bracelet

10. Why do MALAS have 108 beads?

11. The number 108 has a very powerful significance in the science and spirituality of India

12. 108 LETTERS IN THE SANSKRIT ALPHABET

13. Vedic mathematicians measured the Sun’s diameter to be 108 times larger than the diameter of the Earth

14. 108 sacred texts of the Upanishads 108 names of the goddess 108 sacred holy sites in India 108 marmapoints on the body 108 energy lines 108 gopis dancing

15. What are MALASmade from?

16. MADE OUT OF MANY DIFFERENT MATERIALS

17. The most common types of beads used in a mala are made from wood, seeds, or semi-precious gemstones

18. In India, malas are primarily made from sandalwood, tulsi, and rudraksha seeds In Nepal and Tibet, most malas are made from bodhi seeds, lotus seeds, and bone

19. Sizes And Types of Beads

20. The counting beads in a mala are usually between 6mm and 10mm with 8mm being the most common

21. The guru bead can be the same size as the counting beads or can be larger to stand out more The guru bead is typically made from the same type of material as the counting beads

22. Tassels, knots, counters and cords

23. A mala’s tassel is usually made from cotton or silk. At Japa Mala Beads we use eco-friendly hemp for our tassels

24. Super strong coated braided wire to string our necklace malas and a thick clear elastic to string our bracelet malas

25. Mala beads from india usually have knots between each bead Malas from tibet, nepal, and china are not knotted between the beads

26. History of mala beads

27. Mala beads are used in other cultures and religions but are known by different names Prayer beads Rosary beads Worry beads

28. The use of beads in prayer appears to have originated around the 8th century B.C.E. in India

29. OLDEST BEADS FOUND TO DATE ARE APPROXIMATELY 42,0000 YEARS OLD

30. What Religions Use Mala Beads?

31. Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism all use some form of prayer beads

32. MUSLIMS  17th-century Began using prayer beads, called subha, misbaha or tespih 99 counting beads One elongated terminal bead

33. Ireland is known as the origin for the Christian rosary in the 9th Century Kompoloi or worry beads have been used in Greek and Cypriot culture since the middle of the 20th century

34. Benefits of MALA beads

35. BENEFITS FOR THE BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT

36. Increases focus during mantra meditation An efficient and practical tool to count mantras An easy way to keep track of the number of mantras recited Physical contact with prayer beads transmits their inherent healing powers

37. Once mala is empowered it can be used for even more powerful healing of yourself and others Help in process of determining goals and intentions and spiritual pursuits Reminder of one’s intention and goals

38. MORE INFORMATION https://japamalabeads.com/what-is-a-mala/