Malas

[chrisfraas]

I wear a wrist mala and have just noticed that some Buddhists wear theirs on the left wrist and some on the right.
HHDL wears his, it's a full mala, I think, on his left arm/wrist, so that's what I do. But I was wondering if this is just a traditional practice or if it matters which wrist it's on or not.
Anyone have any info?
Namaste, http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries.com/images/smilies/hands.gif
Chris

[Aloka]

Hiyah Chris - good to see you as always !

Malas are usually worn on the left wrist as well as used with the left hand.

Here's some info from the mala section of an online shop run by Tibetan Buddhists.

URL (http://www.garudashop.com/Tibetan_Malas_s/5.htm)


http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries.com/images/smilies/hands.gif
Dazz

[Pink_trike]

It doesn't matter which arm you wear it on. It's just a tool, not something magical that won't work unless it's in a special position. What matters is using the tool effectively to re-pattern the energies in the mind/heart.

[woodscooter]

...just a tool, not something magical...

Oh, dear trike, you sound like a growly bear just woken from hibernation.

Chris is asking for information about the tradition, and wants to know whether anyone can say why the left or the right is preferred. I think he can decide for himself whether or not to attribute magical powers to an inanimate object.

My guess is that a right-handed person would naturally keep the mala on the left, leaving the right hand free for practical purposes, such as turning pages of the book or spinning prayer wheels.

[Pink_trike]

Pink_trike #3:
...just a tool, not something magical...

you sound like a growly bear just woken from hibernation.

It's generally not a good idea in an electronic forum environment to mistake our reactive subjectivity for reality, dear woodscooter. I could say that you sound like a shrill crow guarding some shiny piece of trash it's hoarding...but how could I possibly know what's going on in your mind from just a few sentences. http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

My 3 sentences weren't addressing your sense of psychic order...I was responding in particular to:



:...or if it matters which wrist it's on or not.

...and making a point that there is no "right way". It didn't occur to me that the phrase "just a tool, not something magical" would stir your bees - to carry on with the critter theme. http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries.com/images/smilies/grin.gif

[Aloka]

http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries.com/images/smilies/popcorn.gif Two bears enjoying papanca.


http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries.com/dazz/bearfight.jpg

[Aloka]

from post #1

....So anyway, Chris dear, I hope your question was answered for you! http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries.com/images/smilies/bunny.gif

[plwk]

from post #6

Or just showing off morning breath....http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[KoolAid900]

What I have learned is that malas are used in the left hand because the left side of the body is the receptive side. Likewise, the mala beads are pulled toward oneself to bring blessing energy into oneself. There are specific Dharma protector practices where one uses the mala in the right hand pushing the beads away from oneself to send energy outward. This is also used in black magic. I know this does not directly address the question, though it could be relate to why malas are worn on the left write. Hope it is useful! http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries.com/images/smilies/grin.gif

[frank]

from post #10

Just a thought,maybe be a link,(links are to be found in the strangest of places),but l understand that kids brought up in Catholic orphanages are told to sleep on their right side so that their heart is nearer to heaven should they die in their sleep.
Imo a thoroughly nasty 'religion' using fear as a prompt.

[Aloka]

from post #11

Not sure how your dislike of Catholicism is relevant to a question about Tibetan Buddhist malas, Frank !

[KoolAid900]

from post #12

Haha! Interesting reason for sleeping on the right side. Taoist teachings also emphasize sleeping on the right side because it puts less pressure on the heart and keeps Chi from falling into the heart & stagnating. Of course we know Buddhism does the same with the lion posture.

[Sobeh]

Sleeping on the right side puts the valve from your esophagus to your stomach as high as possible, helping prevent heartburn or acid reflux while in the pose.

[frank]

from post #12

I did make the point that it was a link,and that links are to be found in the strangest of places.

[Aloka]

from post #15

I was merely trying to prevent the Tibetan Buddhist topic from being derailed by completely irrelevant comments about a different religion and then possibly going off at tangent altogether, Frank dear.

http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries.com/dazz/DeadHorse_smilie.gif