Dharma Beads

"Love and compassion are necessitites, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive." --H.H. Dalai Lama

1994 - My son and I (front right with baby) with H.H. Dalai Lama

The Heart Sutra chanted by H.H. Dalai Lama

Tagua Nut Malas

10% OF SALES IS DONATED TO VIKRAMASILA FOUNDATION

Full Mala - $55.00 + $6.95 S&H

Hand Mala - $30.00 + $6.95 S&H

FREE Shipping with Purchase of Full and Hand Malas

Looking just like ivory, these beautiful white beads are made from tropical tagua nut, used by the Mayas and Incans for emotional and spiritual health. The beads in both the full and hand malas are approximately 9 mm, with a larger head bead topped with a silky red tassle. In addition, the full mala has smaller beads that work as markers for 7 and 21 repetitions. The hand mala has 21 beads and stretches slightly to slip easily on and off your wrist.

For more information please contact dharmabeads@gmail.com

FREE crocheted Mala Bag with Purchase of Full Mala

Mala Bags - $10.00 + $2.00 S&H

Explanation on the Meaning and how to use the Mala,

Click Image Below

Malas and Mantras

What does Mala mean? Mala (ma-la) in Sanskrit, the ancient sacred language of the Vedas, Upanishads, Rig Vedas, and great Buddhist literature roughly means, "Rose" or "Garland." A more direct translation is "garland from above," or "heavenly garland." In the Hindu and, sometimes certain Buddhist traditions, it is also called a "japamala." In the Mahayana Zen traditions they are also called, fozhu and ojuzu, which in other languages expresses roughly the same meaning.

What is the purpose of a Mala? The purpose of the Mala from the point of view of the Buddhist is for counting of sacred mantra (prayers) during a period of recitation. For example, one might recite, "Om Mani Padme Hum" and keep a count of each mantra by moving your fingers over each bead. Malas are prayer or rosary beads used for reciting repetitions of prayers or chants called "mantras,"  and help to facilitate ritualized meditation practice. They have been used for thousands of years in Tibetan, Indian, Chinese, Japanese  Buddhism and Hinduism. Prayer beads in different forms are used in Christianity and Islam as well. 

The Mala or prayer beads would be best seen as inseparable from Buddha or the Deity. It is not jewelry, and should not be considered as such. If one treat the Mala with respect and care, and the magnetism of it will grow proportionately.

Do not lay it on the ground or floor. If you drop it on the ground, clean it off, and place it on top of your head as you say Om, Ah, Hung.

Do not let other people handle it as an object of idle curiosity. Touching someone with it an act of blessing or healing may be appropriate, if they allow you or ask you to. Having your Mala blessed by a senior disciple, holy person, respected practitioner, priest, lama or Guru is very beneficial.

What are Mantras? Mantras are spiritual syllables or prayers and are usually repeated many times. In Tibetan Buddhism, one mala constitutes 100 recitations of a mantra. There are 8 additional recitations done to ensure proper concentration. One holds the mala with the left hand and begins to recite from the guru bead, clockwise around the mala.