Mala
About Malas
The meaning of the Sanskrit word “Mala” is “garland.” The word for Mala in Tibetan is Akshamala. For Buddhist practitioners a mala is considered an essential tool. Below is a brief explanation about Malas, their purpose, meaning, and use.
What is a Mala?
From a practical and outer point of view, a mala can simply be understood as a method for counting Mantra recitation. There are typically 108 beads on a Mala string. Traditionally, when counting mantras, only 100 of the 108 are recorded in the accumulation. The extra 8 are not counted because of errors that may have occurred during the recitation. However, a Mala can be a great deal more than just a counting device.
Symbology of a Mala
On a deeper level, the Mala represents the Form and Speech of the Deity. It can be viewed as the Root Deity and the entire assembly or mandala of that Deity. For example, if you are doing a Chenrezig practice, the large bead on the Mala represents Chenrezig and the other beads represent the entourage of the Deity. In this view, the Mala is a support for one’s practice and can become an object of refuge for the practitioner.
Before using a Mala, it is essential to ask a Lama to bless it. After that, it must be treated with reverence and not touched by other people or animals.
How to Use a Mala
Traditionally one holds the mala in one’s left hand. With each recitation a bead is pulled forward. Symbolically, this represents the “Vajra Hook” which brings forth blessings and virtue. The basic instruction is to use the thumb to move the bead forward.
While reciting mantra, it is auspicious to hold the mala to one’s heart. This is symbolic of “protecting one’s heart” with meritorious and virtuous activity.
The large bead on the Mala is called the Guru Bead or Mother Bead. One never crosses over this bead, just as one would never step over something precious and rare. Out of respect and gratitude, one reverses direction after 108 recitations.
Types of Malas
A variety of materials may be used to make a mala: wood or metal beads, seeds, raksha beads (the dried fruit of the raksha tree), as well as precious gemstones or jewels.
Guru Rinpoche gave specific instructions on various types of malas and their use. For example, he said that a mala made of iron or steel multiplies the virtue of accumulating mantra recitations in a general way. With a copper mala, the virtue increases four times. A Raksha mala increases it 20 million times. A pearl or ruby mala increases it 100 million times. The virtue is multiplied by 100,000 if one uses a silver mala. The potential benefit from using a Bodhi seed mala is limitless for any form of practice.
Mantra Recitation
To understand the meaning and purpose of Malas, one should also understand Mantra recitation. The Sanskrit word “Mantra” literally means “protection of the mind.” For each practice that is dedicated to a Meditational Deity, there is a mantra specific to that Deity. A Mantra is a collection of precious seed syllables representing the condensed essence of all the pure qualities and attributes of a Deity. Reciting a Mantra in this profound, virtuous way helps our own pure qualities to come forth. These qualities are ultimately non-dual with the Deity’s. For example, Chenrezig’s mantra is “Om Mani Padme Hung.” If a practitioner recites this mantra with a pure heart and proper motivation, seeking to be of benefit to sentient beings, with faith, devotion, and proper understanding of the method, then only benefit will arise in the mind. One’s natural compassionate nature will be cultivated and nurtured. Over time, transformation of one’s negative qualities will be replaced by virtuous, pure qualities that are inherent within us all. This method of recitation helps us to awaken to our true nature.
which Buddhism is talking about, i mean is it given by the Dzochen,kagyu,or Geluk followers cuz different sect talks differently.
Here it is not clear who is actually talking about mala.
Can anybody specify plzz which sect of Buddhist is talking about.
Hi. The post is referring to the Palyul lineage’s way of using a mala. Palyul is in the Nyingma School. Thanks for writing.
[...] How To Use a Mala [...]
I just wanted to say thank you. I have a better understanding now then i previously did, but i am still learning. I have a lot of things to change about myself and i find Buddhism has given me strength and insight. Thank you.
hi! Holly,
Thanks you so much for answering to my question. i have asked this to clear my doubt about using male. Actually i have been using in a way ur palyul lineage say But a heavy doubt arosed wen i see a video which is given in you-tube,a Tilku talking abt usage of male.He says one can cross the Guru Bid and need not have to go in reversed direction once the round is completed, but in my regular practice i am not crossing the Guru bit, once i complete the round, i go in reverse dorection…. henceforth i will continue the same….Thank you so much 2day i have cleared my doubt.
To ur information,i am a Bhutanese n m here in Bhutan, here in Bhutan i met a Lama who was also saying “one should not reverse the direction once the mala round is completed, if you reverse then it is the Monpa Choe(Darkness Sect)” But i realli doubt his saying n did not follow wat he said. But But most of the people who met Him follows his such instruction …. will there be any consequences la ?
Actually i follow wat Nyingma Sect says n currently i am doing Nyingma Tersar Ngondro.
Moreover i have shown my concern about usage of mala cuz i am a regular reciter of Baza Guru Mantra, Thats why la.
However now i am Happy with the answer given by the “Holly” Thank you so much once more.
I just purchased a mala from KPC Maryland on Sunday night and used it last night to pray for Jetsunma. I just read here that the mala must be blessed first by a lama. I strongly hope that all the malas in the KPC bookstore were already blessed ?? I am going to do the Amitaba chanting now and so that is why I am concerned. Sonam… blessings on you! We in America unite with the Bhutan people in our mala prayers! Thank you! How lovely on the mountains are the feet of them that bring the dharma! Oh…. if my mala is not yet blessed how and when and by who can I quickly get it blessed and can I use it in the meantime? I am an hours drive from Poolesville in Laurel-Burtonsville.
I am very interested in Malas. I hope all Malas are Blessed by a Lama before they are sold. I love the feel that I have as I hold the beads and meditate with them. I am in western PA; nad need to find other types of Malas and in various woods, crystals, bone and metals. Where is there a store I can purchase other Malas? Any help will be greatly appreciated by my Spirit. Namaste! CHRISTOPHER
Hi Christopher
Thanks for your comment. Usually malas you buy in a store have not been blessed yet. You get them blessed by a teacher, preferably your own teacher. I am not familiar with dharma shops in Pennsylvania, but you can find malas online. The Mani Jewel giftstore also sells malas. http://www.kpcstore.org/malas-prayer-beads.html
All the best,
Holly
As far as blessing goes you dont have to have your mala just blessed by your teacher. You can also bless it yourself. The whole point is for it to collect energy andspread it to you. Bless it with your energy and it is just as rewarding.
I forgot to add to that. What everyone needs to realize is that there is not just one specific way to do something when it comes to Buddhism. You are trying to fnd yourself and calm your body during meditation and through the stages of your life. So through youself you find what yur looking for and what you need not through what one person or book says. No one can ever find true peace and equilibrium if they only follow books and other’s words. Look into yourself and you will find the world. Blessings to all,
Jake
thankyou very much for this article – as a beginner on the path it is so helpful to have simple explanations without patronising the reader. Thankyou from my heart!
As there is no sangha or store that has this type of supplys anywhere near where I live here in West Kentucky I am about to start making my own supplys to inhace my Buddist practice and study. As I have no teacher to bless them I guess I will just have to make due untill such a time as I may be blessed with one. I hope this is not offinsive to anyone, but in my current circumstances I see no other alternitive. I welcome feedback.
Betty
Hi Betty,
If you like, you can order a mala from the Mani Jewel Online Store – http://www.kpcstore.org/malas-prayer-beads.html. You don’t need a fancy mala. A simple sandalwood mala would be fine, and Jetsunma said she could bless your mala for you.
You can also order books and videos from palyul productions: http://www.palyulproductions.org/
And you are always welcome to visit us in Poolesville, Maryland or visit the Amitabha Stupa in Sedona, Arizona. http://www.tara.org
Thanks for this article. I had no idea that you can not go over the Guru bid and have to reverse.
Holy, If possible I would love to have my mala blessed by Jetsunma as well.