The Japa mala, often simply called mala beads, is a string of beads for counting repeated prayers, mantras, divine names or affirmations. It’s very much like to a Catholic rosary. The Buddhist or Hindu mala has 108 beads, plus a tasseled “guru” bead, the bead that starts and ends the repetitions. Some also have three “spacer” beads for conveniently dividing the recitations. The number 108 is significant to both Hindu and Buddhists, and it’s said there are 108 meanings of the number, including the number of deities, the 108 sins we must overcome, etc. The mala help connect the physical act of reciting the mantra with the spiritual benefits of the practice.
The mala itself is not passive, but actively transmutes energy, and wearers should be conscious of this power. For one thing, if one wears the mala as jewelry, it’s apt to collect all kinds of stray energy present in the everyday world–not all of it beneficial. Some even prefer to keep the mala in a special bag, and handle it only when in use. Whether you choose to keep your mala protected or to perform regular energetic cleansing, a mala well cared for absorbs considerable pure energy from use in sacred practice.
A mala shouldn’t need much physical cleansing. In fact, the oils of the skin that penetrate the material of the mala help form a bond between the mala and its owner. But it may need energetic cleansing from time to time, especially if you wear it while under stress. Sound can purify the mala; either ring tingshas over it, or place it in a singing bowl and then softly strike the bowl. Another simple method is to expose the mala to either strong sun or moonlight. In addition, it’s strongly positive to have the mala blessed by a teacher, especially at first.
Crystal: Crystal properties apply to the mala. Crystal has the benefit of being smooth, and substantial in weight.
Rudraksha seeds: Rudra is another name for Shiva, and aksha means eye. The tears of Lord Shiva destroy ego and attachment, and also promote healing, protection, and strong blood flow. These malas are best used by those leading a pure life.
Boddhi seeds: Boddhi (holy) tree is another name for the Sacred Fig, the tree the Buddha sat under when he gained enlightenment. As you might guess, the words buddha and boddhi related, both having to do with enlightenment.
Tulsi wood: Also called Sacred Basil. Hindus consider this plant–more a large shrub than a tree–to be a living goddess. A tulsi mala clears the aura and strengthens devotion, and is specially holy to Vishnu. Tulsi tea an elixir of life which helps with stress, pain, adaptation; tulsi wood contains many of these same properties.
Sandalwood: The scent of sandalwood conveys inner peace. A mala made of sandalwood is good for deepening meditation, calming, and seeking after the within. Real sandalwood is growing rarer. Beads carved of real sandalwood are oblong, smooth and somewhat uneven–never rough textured or perfectly round. The scent of real sandalwood is subtle, but it remains present in the wood as the mala ages.
Lotus seeds: Lotus petals deflect water, and so the lotus mala symbolizes the “falling away” of worldly things the understanding of impermanence. Since lotus seeds are light, they darken with age even more than other materials. Perhaps that’s why they symbolize the steady growth of wisdom and power.
Rosewood: A mala made of rosewood excels in healing the self and others, as well as manifestation of whatever is needed for healing.
Bone: Yak bone is a common material for Tibetan malas, and encourages the owner to contemplate mortality. Accepting the reality of impermanence helps us focus on living in the present moment. Sometimes bone beads are carved into little skulls. Using its bone for a sacred item like a mala honors the yak.