Comments on: How to use a Mala

By: Holly

Holly — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:09:41 +0000

Dear Jenni,

Thank you for your question on TibetanBuddhistAltar.org. What your family is referring to is a Chinese version of Amitabha’s mantra, which followers of the Pure Land School taught by Ven. Master Chin Kung recite daily at least ten times. This mantra is not something we are familiar with in our school of Buddhism as we are a Tibetan Buddhist temple, but I did find it on the internet. The mantra is very simple, NAMO AMITUOFO. By reciting the name of Amitabha (or Amituofo in Chinese), it is said that one will take immediate rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land upon dying. We chant a similar Amitabha mantra in our practice, OM AMI DEWA HRI. Chanting either version would be most meritorious. I hope that helps, Jenni!

Palzang

By: Jenni

Jenni — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 21:58:07 +0000

I am so confused.
I have been given one of these (I think) by my family in Malaysia recently. They are what look like wooden beads.. I was given the website http://www.amtb.tw to look up how to use the beads but the website is in Chinese. I found an English version but cannot find anything on these beads..?
I have been told to chant each bead with something that sounds like “Nam Woh Om Ni Toh Fat”. What is this? What does it mean? And where can I find out more in English!?
Help

By: Ani Rinchen

Ani Rinchen — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:52:28 +0000

I think it’s fine to use your mala even though it hasn’t yet been blessed. I suggest that you get it blessed when you have the opportunity. It will add potency to your practice to have it blessed, but there is still benefit from using it now.

Ani Rinchen

By: Jec

Jec — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 04:08:18 +0000

I recently made my own mala, do I need to bless it before I use it?

By: Nikki

Nikki — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:09:08 +0000

You can custom build your own mala at custommalabeads.com I think it is… If that doesn’t work then google “custom mala” and it should show up.

By: BoDuZaweyer

BoDuZaweyer — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:40:20 +0000

Long Life to Jetsunma !!
Tara Tara Tara
Guru Rinpoche

By: Ani Rinchen

Ani Rinchen — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:36:08 +0000

The 108 beads on a mala represent the 108 Dharmas that the Buddha taught. It is best to have all 108. You may replace the one that was lost with one like it, or another bead of a similar size.

By: Ray

Ray — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:49:56 +0000

I know that malas have 108 beads but I have one that broke and I lost one bead will this matter.

Thanks

By: Yekta

Yekta — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 03:26:48 +0000

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.

By: Holly

Holly — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:32:32 +0000

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