Mala inquiries

[JamalOfTheSea]

I do apologize if there is a thread already existing, however; I had much difficulty finding one.

What is the exact purpose of a mala and how is it used?

By the way, I'm a beginner so, simplicity is appreciated.


Thanks much,

Jamal-------

[JCC]

A mala is used to count repetitions (such as Amidabha Buddha) and mantras. I also use them to count breaths. You would use it just are you would a rosary

http://www.buddhistmala.com/
http://www.yogabasics.com/japamalabeads/

Those are two websites I found, but they seem to be sort of expensive. If you have a mahayana temple in your area, they could probably help you out. The monks at my temple gave me two as a gift.

[Aloka]

I do apologize if there is a thread already existing, however; I had much difficulty finding one.



Hi Jamal, if you type 'malas' into the Advanced Search box at the top right hand side of the page, you should be able to find several old threads.

Some information about malas in connection with Tibetan Buddhism can be found at these 2 websites:

http://www.khandro.net/practice_mala.htm


http://www.garudashop.com/Tibetan_Malas_s/5.htm

[Gnosis Cupitor]

I personally use my own mala as a sort of self-brainwashing/training. I don't say things like "Om Mani Padme Hum" or such because I don't really know the meaning of it, and even the meaning of it doesn't exactly do much in my opinion to the mind.

To me, my mala is my tool to cultivating the garden of the mind. I believe that every word is like watering seeds in the mind. An example of what I say would be:

The garden of my mind has many seeds, may the wholesome seeds be watered, so my suffering may end.

This mind is a garden, may the seeds of Right View be watered, and bear wholesome fruits.

This mind is a garden, may the seeds of Right Intention be watered, and bear wholesome fruits.

This mind is a garden, may the seeds of Right Speech be watered, and bear wholesome fruits.

This mind is a garden, may the seeds of Right Action be watered, and bear wholesomefruits.

This mind is a garden, may the seeds of Right Livelihood be watered, and bear wholesome fruits.

This mind is a garden, may the seeds of Right Effort be watered, and bear wholesome fruits.

This mind is a garden, may the seeds of Right Mindfulness be watered, and bear wholesome fruits.

This mind is a garden, may the seeds of Right Concentration be watered, and bear wholesome fruits;


It's rather convenient because there are twenty seven beads before a guru bead or whatever, which I would then say the Five Mindfulness Training's of Thich Nhat Hanh, and continue on with the Eightfold Path bit.