Ancient bead hand malas
Our ancient malas not only carry the ancient traditions inherent in any mala, they are also made with ancient beads.
Prayer beads have been used for over 2000 years. According to most historians, they originated somewhere in India around 500BC. Strings of prayer beads have various names, originally known in India as mala, from Sanskrit, meaning garland. In Greece they were called worry beads. Rosary means a crown of roses, a spiritual bouquet given to the Blessed Mother. The first clear historical reference to the rosary is from the life of St. Dominic, about 1221 AD.If you would like a mala with ancient beads,
More about malas
Malas 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. Prayer beads in India came from the ancient Hindu Vedic tradition which had great reverence for sound. The Sanskrit language and its alphabet were both considered to have divine origin, and are therefore considered sacred. It is said that all creation manifested from these cosmic vibrations, which are represented by the 50 letters of the Sanskrit alphabet and their corresponding sounds. OM is the universal sound and the origin of all other sound vibration and therefore the manifest universe. Chanting the sounds of the Sanskrit letters and various words used as sacred mantras (sounds that take one beyond the mind) are used to realize yoga (union) with God, Absolute Being.
Malas appeared in the Buddhist tradition in Asia some time after the development of the Mahayana (The Great Vehicle Path). Hindus who converted to the Buddhist faith brought their malas with them from India to China, Japan, and eventually Tibet. The mala was one of the main tools used to focus one's mind and devotional aspirations. These "garlands" of sacred sound vibration were recited over and over. The mala itself becomes empowered with spiritual energy as a result of these mantric recitations and further aids one's practice. This devotional practice became part of Buddhism.
The mala or rosary is a tool used to aid prayer and meditation, especially for reciting repetitions of prayers or chants called "mantras," and help to facilitate ritualized meditation practice. It allows one to focus on the meaning of the mantra as it is chanted without having to also concentrate on counting the repetitions. Each time the mantra is repeated, the fingers move to the next bead. The large bead on the Mala is called the Guru Bead or Mother Bead. One never crosses over this bead, just as one would never step over something precious and rare. Out of respect and gratitude, one reverses direction. Malas are typically made with 19, 21, 27, 54 or 108 beads.
Buddhist mala beads are commonly made from seeds of the Bodhi tree. In Tibet, malas often include semi-precious stones. Turquoise, amethyst, lapis lazuli, and coral are often used with copper, nickel, silver and brass together with yak bone for their healing properties. In general the purpose of all mala beads is to help create peace and harmony for the individual, the community and the environment, all of which are manifestations of Absolute Being through the original OM vibration.
The semi-precious gemstones often used significance for many people worldwide. It is believed that turquoise brings prosperity, good fortune, strength and helps overcome illness. Native Americans have praised the qualities of turquoise since the time of the Aztecs. The Navajos believed it could help appease the “Wind Spirits” and the Tibetans use turquoise in their ritual religious objects as well as jewelry, also to temper the “Winds”. Turquoise was esteemed by Tibetan Shamans for both its spiritual and physical healing and protective qualities. Ancient manuscripts from India, Afghanistan and the Middle East also refer to the healing effects of wearing turquoise. Due to the degradation of our planet, and the many stress related illness’s of our modern times, the earthly elements and healing properties of turquoise make it increasingly more important and popular for people all over the world today.
Semiprecious stone malas should not be worn on the wrist or around the neck for days on end. It may interfere with your own electrical system, or Qi ("Chi") as called by the Chinese. There are many names for this, but you must be careful how often you keep it on your body so that your natural currents and nervous system are not constantly interrupted. On your altar would be a good place to keep your mala when not in use.