Mala

A mala (translation: garland) is a string of 108 beads with one bead as the summit or head bead called a ‘sumeru.’ Malas are used as a tool to help the mind focus on meditation, prayer or to count mantras in sets of 108 repetitions. Although not specifically a religious accessory, malas, (see also prayer beads or rosaries) can be used in prayer, meditation, or for manifestation..”

Malas are used as a tool to help the mind focus on meditation, prayer or to count mantras in sets of 108 repetitions

Some place great store in the components of which the mala is composed claiming one material is best for a certain type of devotion over another, typically the crystals and/ or colors of the tassel . However, it’s not just the material of which the mala is made but the frequency of use and intentions of the person which are of ultimate importance. Some, especially during the 1980s in the USA when they were popularized as a fashion accessory, refer to malas as “power beads