The Buddhist Sutra of Sapindus Mukorossi relates that to free their minds from discontent, Buddhist disciples could carry with them 108 bodhi tree seeds strung together into prayer beads, so that whether walking or at rest, by chanting the sutras and intoning the names of the Buddha, moving one seed along the string for each recitation, they might put their minds at peace and better practice their faith.
在佛經《木子經》中曾記載，為了消除煩惱，佛家弟子可用一百零八顆木子（菩提樹的果實）串成念珠，隨身攜帶，行住坐臥都專心一意地誦經、稱佛，每念一遍，就撥一顆珠子，依次數去，亦即定心修行的作用。