Bali Mala Beads

Prayers and Malas

Malas, mala beads, garlands…..we may call it by any of the names, but it has been associated with prayers for a long time. Every religion has used this and continue to use it while praying. It is an ideal accessory for keeping count of the number of times we are chanting the Lord’s name or any other prayer on Him.

In Hinduism and Buddhism, the mala usually comes with 109 beads. It has 108 normal sized beads and one bigger bead or guru bead as it is called. This mala design helps in chanting the name 108 times. The big Prayer Beads tells us where to start and end.

Significance Of 108

Quite a lot can be said about the number 108. It is a very sacred number for Hindus. There are many things in Hindu religion and tradition that is done 108 times. Many of the prayers are chanted 108 times. There are 108 highly holy places of worship for Lord Vishnu.

The significances are many. Let us see some of them – both religious and scientific.
The numbers nine and twelve have a lot of significance in many traditions. Nine times twelve is 108. You can also see the other permutations and combinations. 1 plus 8 is 9.

It is connected with the total of the powers of 1, 2 and 3. One to the power of one times two to the power of two times three to the power of three totals to 108. That is 1x4x27 = 108

108 in meditation beads is also believed to be connected to the Heart Chakra. Chakras are intersections of lines of energy that run through our body. The Heart Chakra is made of intersections of 108 such lines.

It is said in yoga that if one can limit the number of breaths to 108 in a day, he will attain enlightenment.

Buddhism says there are 108 virtues to be cultivated and 108 defilements to avoid. Chinese astrology mentions 108 stars. The sacred mala of Sikhs have 108 knots tied together with a string.

We can go on about the significance of 108 in both religion and science. This is the reason why the mala has 108 Yoga meditation beads.

Materials for the Mala Beads

Many materials are used to make the mala beads. Rudraksha mala is the most sacred one as per most Hindu traditions. Mala beads are also made of precious stones, crystals, sandalwood etc. Each tradition and cult have different styles and different materials.

How to Choose Your Mala?

The best way, most say, is to follow your intuition. Pray before you go and just start browsing through the various malas. You will be drawn to the one most suited for you.

Conclusion

If you have a guru who is helping you in your prayers and yoga, he is the best person to advise you on this.Whatever the material is, the most important thing is to concentrate more on the mantras while chanting.

Although Buddhist prayer beads can be made from a wide variety of different materials, including animal bones and semi-precious gemstones, they are most frequently made from wooden beads. These beads are threaded onto silk or human hair to make special strings of beads. For more on Prayer Beads visit https://mahi-yoga.com/