Meaning and How to Make the Best Use of Buddhist Malas

Mala is a Sanskrit word, and it is made up of beads used for counting mantras and offering prayers. People often use Malas to count mantras and these prayer beads are very popular in Tibetan Buddhist communities. Wrapped around the wrists or worn as necklaces, BuddhistMalas hold a special place in the lives of many people. 

 

Let's understand the meaning of Malas...

Mala, a Sanskrit word, and often come with 108 prayer beads that are used to count the number of times a mantra is recited by the practitioner. Buddhist prayer beads, also known as 'Japa Malas', are similar to other forms of prayer beads as the purpose in same that is to offer prayers. In Tibetan Buddhism, 108 beads are used while some practitioners also use 21 or 28 beads for doing meditation.

The main use of religious Malas is to count mantras and these can be recited for different purposes such as for peace of mind, to improve concentration, and more. These beads can be made from the Bodhi beads, Rudraksha, or from the wood of Bodhi tree. Lotus root or rattan seeds are also used to make some general-purpose Malas.

Let's understand how to use Malas...

A Buddhist Mala usually contains the 108 prayer beads, counter, spacer, bum counter, marker, Guru bead, amulet and tassel. The number of beads represent 108 times of the mantra words and the spacers divide the Mala into four parts. When using it, pass a bead by left hand and recite the prayer words one time, then go to the next bead. When you pass the space beads, you need not to recite mantra as they are meant to know how many beads you passed.

Counting all the beads means you have done with reciting mantra words 108 times and then you can continue with doing it again. Keep moving the bum counter bead and finish moving it 108 times, which means you have completed the mantra words 108,000 times. A blessed Mala is more powerful as compared to a general-purpose Mala.

Blessed prayer beads are believed to protect the practitioners, calm heart, and keep away all the evils and negativity. The main purpose of such religious ornaments is to drive away evil and bring peace and bliss. If you wish to buy these ornaments, you can buy them from online stores at a reasonable price.

Make sure that you always keep religious Malas at a clean place and do not wash them with any chemical liquid.

Why do People Wear Ganesh Pendant and Other Spiritual Jewelry

Have you seen people wearing spiritual ornaments? Have you ever wondered why they wear religious jewelry like Ganesh pendant? There are many popular symbols worn as ornaments along with images of Gods and Goddesses. But what prompts people wear such kind of jewel pieces? There are some reasons and beliefs associated with every ornament specially when we talk about the religious ones. 

 

Here are some beliefs why people opt to wear religious symbols in the form of pendants, bracelets, rings, and amulets.

• Many people believe that wearing spiritual symbols show their love and devotion towards God. This way they can declare their faith openly and encourage others to have faith in Lord Ganesha.
• As per their beliefs, people wear religious pendants to feel more closer to their favorite God and make their life full of joy and prosperity.
• Some people wear Ganesh ornaments because they have received them as a gift when they visited temples or any religious ceremony. In simple words, they don't want to hurt the sentiments of others.
• The spiritual amulets or charms are considered as protective talismans and that's why many people wear them. According to them, carrying these ornaments protect them from evil spirits and bring positivity to their life.
• Most people wear tribal jewelry to look stylish and display the value of precious metals and gemstones. They mostly prefer gemstone or diamond studded Om pendants or other items popular worldwide.
• A few people also believe that wearing Ganesh ornaments is good for mind concentration and it is very beneficial for students.

Most people wear religious medals for the sake of their faith and devotion towards God. The different type of symbols represent the belief of a particular religion or region. In ancient times, these ornaments were a part of ritual practices of tribes and that's why they are also popular as tribal jewelry.

The use of Ganesh pendant and other symbols resembles the practice of using charms or amulets to defend the negativity. Some pendants also feature holy geometrical figures and they too have same significance as other religious symbols.

5 Interesting Facts About Jade the Stone of Heaven

Worn by people for centuries, Jade is considered a spiritual stone and has a variety of meaning as well as facts attached to it. People often call it 'Jade the stone of heaven', being a symbol of purity and the stone of immortality. It is believed to embody the five values: Justice, Courage, Wisdom, Modesty and Charity.

Here are some interesting facts about Jade that you might want to know:-

• Jade is found inside the rocks and stones and it's value cannot be seen until ascertained. One method of evaluating the stone is to strike it with a hammer since it will rebound the hammer.
• Myanmar holds the title of the largest exporter of Jade while you can find some experts from New Zealand, Australia, etc. Although the stone is associated with China and it's main source is still unidentifiable.
• As far as the strength of the stone is concerned, both Jadeite and Nephrite Jade can be formed into the most intricate designs such as herds of horses, dragons, country scenes and other jewelry.
• In Mandarin Chinese, Jade is considered more precious than gold or diamonds. This spiritual substance is touted as priceless if talking about the ancient Chinese literature.
• The stone has a lustrous surface and contains variations in color and that's why it is highly collectible today.
• In ancient time, Jade was used for tools and weapons being it tougher than steel. Later, it was used in mystical rituals and ornamentation.
• Top quality Jade is hard to find and is very translucent and sleek. Some of the real stones are sold at highest prices in the International market.
• A stone with vivid green color and no gray can be considered as the finest stone. Imperial green stone is rare while other shades such as yellowish greens, grayish greens and blackish greens, are common.

The demand for finest Jade is increasing day by day and it is very important to know the difference between real and fake stone. Few people realize that the finest Jade is one of the most precious gemstones. Therefore, it is suggested to do some research and buy the real jade.