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Japa MalasBuddhist Prayer Beads
By David Raezer
Buddhist or Hindu?
The use of prayer beads, or japa malas, in both Buddhism and Hinduism speaks to a historical connection between the two faiths. But there are a few differences, most important: Buddhist japa malas typically contain a lesser number of beads than the Hindu japa malas’ 108 it is usually a divisor of 108, however. There many potential explanations for the significance of the number 108, although none alone appears offers a definitive explanation.
A practical item
The beads are typically made from the seeds or wood of the Bodhi tree aka ficus religiosa or sacred fig tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. The beads are typically used as counters, thereby enabling the faithful to keep track of recitations of mantras or prayers, prostrations, circumambulations and so forth.
… with philosophical significance
The large bead on the strand is symbolic of the wisdom that allows one to recognize emptiness (sunyata) and the bell-shaped bead surmounting it is symbolic of emptiness itself. The bell is recurring symbol for emptiness in Buddhist ritual, its ringing being the sound of emptiness made reality.
A few words on Buddhist philosophy: “emptiness” means that, despite appearances, everything one encounters in life is absent of absolute identity, permanence or an in-dwelling absolute “self” (anatta). All things are connected and mutually dependent, in a constant state of flux, transforming and becoming (rather than self-centered and fixed). Only when the abandonment of self occurs can the transcendent state of enlightenment be achieved.
How to use them
A mantra is said as each bead is spun (in turn) in a counterclockwise direction (similar to circumambulation of the stupa).
The rotation through the beads is also typically done in a counterclockwise motion beginning at the first bead after the large central bead. This large bead is used a counter, signaling that one full rotation of the beads (108 mantras) has be achieved. This process is of 108-bead cycles is repeated countless times.
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