Buddhist Japa Mala Beads and Similar Necklaces

All over the world we can find necklaces crafted and worn with significance, with deeper meanings. Ever since the dawn of mankind the purpose of jewelry was not only an ornamental one, jewelry had more functions. From very basic and practical such as protection; little bells to ward of snakes or other venomous creatures in the high grass. Spiritual protection from good luck amulets and pendants. But also identification, think for example about showing membership of a certain tribe or religious group.

Amulets, talismans, pendants and other good luck charms,beaded bracelets and necklaces, prayer boxes are all types of Buddhist jewelry worn around the neck or wrist. Many of these Buddhist necklaces are used to provide a tangible connection between the person wearing it and his or her spiritual beliefs. Buddhist Mala beads for example are used as a prayer tool.

Most of these necklaces have 108 beads on a strand to aid with counting the mantra that has to be recited 108 times. A few beads are bigger than the rest, these are called Guru beads. Counting starts by holding a bead behind the Guru bead. Every time a mantra has been recited the Mala is moved through the fingers. This way one does not have to focus on the counting but can concentrate on the mantra reciting itself. A well known mantra is the so called “Om Mani Padme Hum”. According to Buddhist literature mala means something like “Rose” or “Garland”. The Mala is also perceived as the Eastern equivalent of the Catholic Rosary Beads.