Choosing a Mala

Choosing a Mala

A mala of 108 beads is used for general purposes by most practicing Tibetan Buddhists. A variation of the standard 108-bead mala is the wrist mala of 27 beads—four circuits total 108 mantra repetitions.

"The sacred number of 108 predates Buddhism, being the classical number of the Hindu names assigned to a deity or god. As a multiple of 12 and 9, it represents the nine planets in the 12 zodiac houses. As a multiple of 27 and 4, it also represents the four quarters of the moon in each of the 27 lunar mansions or constellations. 

The 108 beads also ensure that at least a hundred mantra recitations have been completed in a full rosary turning." 

Beads of bodhi seed generally are considered auspicious for any practice or mantra, and red sandalwood or lotus seeds also are widely recommended for universal use . 

Wood Mala~

Mantras for magnetizing should be recited using malas made of saffron, lotus seed, sandalwood, or other forms of wood includingelm wood, peach wood, and rosewood.

Red Sandalwood is the symbol of Brahma and blessed by Lakshmi. Rosaries of red Sandalwood are useful for propitiating the goddesses whereas of white are useful for the gods. Red sandal beads attracts abundance and prosperity, unfolds vibrant energy and gives bravery, strength and willpower.

Some beads, such as the ones made of lotus seeds, can be used for all purposes and all kinds of mantras. However, in Tibetan Buddhism, beads are recited for four different purposes:

1: Pacifying mantras should be recited using white colored malas such as crystal. These can serve to purify mind and clear away obstacles in one’s life, like illness, bad karma and mental disturbances.  

2: Increasing mantras should be recited using malas of Bodhi seeds, gold or amber. The mantras counted on these kinds of mantras, for instance, mantra of Yellow Jambhala, can "serve to increase life span, knowledge and merits".

3: Mantras for magnetizing are meant to tame others, but the motivation for doing so should be a pure wish to help other sentient beings and not to benefit oneself. To do mantra of Amitayus and Kurukulle, malas made of coral should be used.

4: Mantras to tame by force should be recited using malas made of bones of mahasiddhas. Reciting this kind of mantras with mala serves to tame others, but with the motivation to unselfishly help other sentient beings. To tame by force means to subdue harmful energies, such as "extremely malicious spirits, or general afflictions". Only a person such like Dakini that is motivated by great compassion for all beings, including those they try to tame, can do this.

Beads made of lotus seeds can be used for many purposes and for counting all kinds of mantras. 

Beads of Bodhi seed -

The Bodhi seed signifies the Buddha's attainment of enlightenment while seated under the Bodhi Tree.

'Moon and Stars Bodhi seeds' mala is made from rattan seeds, The bead itself is very hard and dense, ivory coloured (which gradually turns a deep golden brown with long use), and has small holes (moons) and tiny black dots (stars) covering its surface.

'Phenix Eye Bodhi seeds' mala is made from rattan seeds, The bead itself is very hard and dense, ivory coloured (which gradually turns a deep golden brown with long use), and has small holes (moons) and tiny black dots (stars) covering its surface.

Rudraksha seed aka King KongBodhi  seeds

'Rudraksha seed mala' Each seed displays 5 faces or Mukhi. In Tibetan Buddhism, Rudraksha seeds are often associated with the practice of Vajrakilaya or more wrathful pratices. According to the Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche, each mantra recitation is multiplied by 20 million when using a Rudraksha seed mala.

Rudraksha beads or Bone mala 

Mantras to tame by forceful means should be recited using malas made of Rudraksha beads or bone. Reciting mantras with this kind of Malas to tame by forceful means or subdue harmful energies, such as "extremely malicious spirits, or general afflictions" are made from Rudraksha seeds, or even human bones, but It is said that only a person that is motivated by great compassion for all beings, including those they try to tame, can do this~

Holy Bone

Holy bone malas are made from the bones of mahasiddhas or lamas and hand made by highly skilled lamas, therefore, they are extremely precious. The lama who makes the holy bone mala, will chant mantras while shaping the bones into beads and polishing them. The whole process of making a holy bone mala may take over one decade, hence there goes a saying in Buddhism: holy bone malas can bring peace to the dead and safety to the living. What the holy bone mala represents, in mundane words, is that life is ever-changing and death may knock at your doors in anytime, therefore, one should be diligent in his or her practice; in Dharmata chos nyid, is the emptiness.

Malas of Gold, Silver, Copper & Amber

Increasing mantras should be recited using malas of gold, silver, copper and amber. The mantras counted on these can "serve to increase life span, knowledge and merit."

White colored malas

Pacifying mantras should be recited using white colored malas. Materials such as crystal, pearl, shell/conch or mother of pearl are preferable. These are said to purify the mind and clear away obstacles like illness, bad karma and mental disturbances. Using pearls is not practical however, as repeated use will destroy their iridescent layer. Most often pearl malas are used for showing off or 'Dharma jewelry'.