29.11.2022, 11:41
How To Use Tibetan Prayer Beads. What Is Malas?
Mala is the primary Sanskrit word for the prayer beads used for counting mantra and recitations. Malas are used throughout Tibetan Buddhist communities around the globe, either tied around the wrists or hanging from the fingers. They are usually coupled with the humming of mantras, such as om mani padme, om tuttare and ture, or om mun maha-muniye soha. They are known as trengwa if they're Tibetan. As a fundamental part of Tibetan Buddhist practice is repeating (mentally or in loud voice) specific mantras thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of times, it is useful to use your Rosary to count off the number of prayers like a spiritual abacus. Even if you're not active in counting, the repetitive recitation of the mantra while you go bead by beads through the mala will help to focus and calm your mind. The most well-known type of mala is a string made of 108 beads. They are made from precious or semi-precious stones wood, seeds, or bone. Each time you work your way around the mala, saying a mantra for each bead it is believed that you having completed 100 mantra recitations. The remaining 8 beads count as "spare" to compensate any errors or miscounts you might make along the way. The head bead that is larger than the others, is available. It's sometimes referred to a "guru beads" and can be utilized to compensate for any errors or miscalculations you've made along the route. The malas could also have additional precious stones that are placed at different intervals. They may include coral or turquoise. These extra stones can sometimes be added at intervals that you use to count, for instance, following 27 beads. This lets you know that you're just 1/4 of the circuit. There would be the number of beads 111 instead of 108, if you were to add these counter beads. It is also possible to utilize a smaller mala to perform prostrations that is made of 27 beads. It is used to wrap the smaller size around your wrist and repeat the process four times. There are many other configurations which can be created like 21 or 22. This is acceptable so long as you are able to count using your mala.
Types of Malas
There are many different types of malas. Some are made from bone or ivory, and others are made from sandalwood or lapis lazuli. We don't believe that the kind of mala you select is essential for which type or style of prayer. We believe that Tibetans generally don't make major differences in the types or uses of malas. Monks and nuns typically prefer simple, cheap malas, such as wooden ones. You are able to use any mala you like. It is better to focus on your spiritual practice of praying and reciting mantras instead of on the appearance or worth of your mala. See the top rated Tibetan Bodhiseed for recommendations.
How To Hold And Count With Your Malas
As is often the case in Tibetan culture, we want to stress that there aren't any rules about malas or the way to count mantras. Every person approaches it in a different manner. There are several common practices however, they do not change your intent or approach to prayer. If you are praying in your heart with your mala, it is an excellent thing. While some sources suggest using the mala with your left hand, certain Tibetans also use malas with the right hand. If you are holding a prayer rod with one hand, and you are holding your mala and mala on the other, it's simpler to hold the mala in the left hand , while the prayer rod is on the right. You can use your mala to begin by placing the first bead close to the "guru". Keep the mala between your thumb (or your index finger) and keep it there. Repeat the mantra silently or loudly. Through a rolling motion of the thumb, you can move on to the next bead. Once you have completed your mantra, repeat it again. Then you will have completed 100 mantras without needing to count them all. The majority of Tibetans do not abandon the guru's bead at this point. Instead, they reverse their direction and turn the mala around to begin a fresh circuit with 100 mantras, before returning to the initial route. It is not clear why this is the case. We do this because we're used to it.
Caring for your Mala
When you utilize your mala for mantra recitations or mantras, bring it to teachings, or be blessed by your spiritual guru, it will be given spiritual significance. It isn't sacred in itself, but it is something that we take care of with reverence. This means you would not set it on the ground, place things that are commonplace on top of or throw it. Tibetans tie their malas around their wrists and necks when not using them. They aren't used as necklaces, although they are used to decorate the neck or display one's spirituality. It can be placed on a wall , or the right height for you to see it from your altar , if you don't really need it. It's in a bookcase that is tucked away under our altar. It's entirely up to you and how you deal with it.
Mala is the primary Sanskrit word for the prayer beads used for counting mantra and recitations. Malas are used throughout Tibetan Buddhist communities around the globe, either tied around the wrists or hanging from the fingers. They are usually coupled with the humming of mantras, such as om mani padme, om tuttare and ture, or om mun maha-muniye soha. They are known as trengwa if they're Tibetan. As a fundamental part of Tibetan Buddhist practice is repeating (mentally or in loud voice) specific mantras thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of times, it is useful to use your Rosary to count off the number of prayers like a spiritual abacus. Even if you're not active in counting, the repetitive recitation of the mantra while you go bead by beads through the mala will help to focus and calm your mind. The most well-known type of mala is a string made of 108 beads. They are made from precious or semi-precious stones wood, seeds, or bone. Each time you work your way around the mala, saying a mantra for each bead it is believed that you having completed 100 mantra recitations. The remaining 8 beads count as "spare" to compensate any errors or miscounts you might make along the way. The head bead that is larger than the others, is available. It's sometimes referred to a "guru beads" and can be utilized to compensate for any errors or miscalculations you've made along the route. The malas could also have additional precious stones that are placed at different intervals. They may include coral or turquoise. These extra stones can sometimes be added at intervals that you use to count, for instance, following 27 beads. This lets you know that you're just 1/4 of the circuit. There would be the number of beads 111 instead of 108, if you were to add these counter beads. It is also possible to utilize a smaller mala to perform prostrations that is made of 27 beads. It is used to wrap the smaller size around your wrist and repeat the process four times. There are many other configurations which can be created like 21 or 22. This is acceptable so long as you are able to count using your mala.
Types of Malas
There are many different types of malas. Some are made from bone or ivory, and others are made from sandalwood or lapis lazuli. We don't believe that the kind of mala you select is essential for which type or style of prayer. We believe that Tibetans generally don't make major differences in the types or uses of malas. Monks and nuns typically prefer simple, cheap malas, such as wooden ones. You are able to use any mala you like. It is better to focus on your spiritual practice of praying and reciting mantras instead of on the appearance or worth of your mala. See the top rated Tibetan Bodhiseed for recommendations.
How To Hold And Count With Your Malas
As is often the case in Tibetan culture, we want to stress that there aren't any rules about malas or the way to count mantras. Every person approaches it in a different manner. There are several common practices however, they do not change your intent or approach to prayer. If you are praying in your heart with your mala, it is an excellent thing. While some sources suggest using the mala with your left hand, certain Tibetans also use malas with the right hand. If you are holding a prayer rod with one hand, and you are holding your mala and mala on the other, it's simpler to hold the mala in the left hand , while the prayer rod is on the right. You can use your mala to begin by placing the first bead close to the "guru". Keep the mala between your thumb (or your index finger) and keep it there. Repeat the mantra silently or loudly. Through a rolling motion of the thumb, you can move on to the next bead. Once you have completed your mantra, repeat it again. Then you will have completed 100 mantras without needing to count them all. The majority of Tibetans do not abandon the guru's bead at this point. Instead, they reverse their direction and turn the mala around to begin a fresh circuit with 100 mantras, before returning to the initial route. It is not clear why this is the case. We do this because we're used to it.
Caring for your Mala
When you utilize your mala for mantra recitations or mantras, bring it to teachings, or be blessed by your spiritual guru, it will be given spiritual significance. It isn't sacred in itself, but it is something that we take care of with reverence. This means you would not set it on the ground, place things that are commonplace on top of or throw it. Tibetans tie their malas around their wrists and necks when not using them. They aren't used as necklaces, although they are used to decorate the neck or display one's spirituality. It can be placed on a wall , or the right height for you to see it from your altar , if you don't really need it. It's in a bookcase that is tucked away under our altar. It's entirely up to you and how you deal with it.