Tiny wooden skull Buddhist prayer beads necklace, each bead marking the repetition of a prayer. Also known in the west as a Buddhist rosary, chanting beads, mantra prayer beads or as a zen beads necklace. Most people know them as malas. Malas are sometimes called chanting beads because the repetition of prayers sounds like chanting.
These yoga meditation beads or mantra prayer beads measures 24 inches long plus the bit of macrame and cord ends.
Each of the 108 meditation beads approximately measure 6 mm wide by 6.5 mm long. Vertically-drilled 1 mm hole. Strung on two-ply braided dark brown Nylon cord. Beads are NOT knotted in between beads. There is 3/4 inch macrame closure after the guru bead followed by 2 inches of cord. The tiny beads are easy to wear.
As this mala is hand-carved and assembled, bead sizes may vary.
What is a mala?
A mala is a string of 108 beads plus an additional bead that connects both ends of the strand. The additional bead is typically a three hold bead known as a guru bead. There is a hold on each side that connect into a third hold drilled halfway up the guru bead. Each end of the strand of the 108 beads threads into one of the sides of the guru bead and then both exit out the bottom of the guru bead as in a "T" configuration.
It takes practice to sustain the focus of one's attention on a prayer, mantra or affirmation. The mala is a meditation tool . The Buddhist monks use it as a way to train their minds. That is why malas are thought of as monk beads or a monk bead necklace. Authentic Buddhist prayer beads use 108 bead so that the monk can repeat the prayer 108 times. 108 is a sacred number.
Lovely gift for a meditation or yoga enthusiasts or lover of prayer beads jewelry.