Victor Epand is an expert consultant for Krishna art, religious gifts from India, and Hare Krishna books. You can find the best marketplace for Krishna art, religious gifts from India, and Hare Krishna books at these sites for Prayer Beads art, Prayer Beads gifts from India, and Prayer Beads books.
Prayer beads, known as japa mala by the Hindus and by yoga practitioners around the world, are used to keep count of the repetitions of prayers or mantras. The mala consists of a certain number of beads depending on the religion. The material with which it is made also varies. While chanting, one moves from one bead to another and in this way keeps track of the number of prayers said. The beads allow one to focus the mind on the chanting. If it were without beads then the attention would be partly diverted on counting. The following paragraphs describe the different types of beads and their roles in meditations in different religions.
The mala is traditionally held in the right hand and used in two ways: In one method, the mala is hanging between the thumb and the ring (third) finger. The middle (second) finger is used to rotate the mala by one bead towards oneself at each repetition of the mantra.
The use of japa beads originated in Hinduism, more precisely in the Vedic culture. Worshippers of the different forms of God and demigods use a japa mala to chant mantras as part of their daily rituals, known as sadhana. Worshippers of Shiva use Rudraksha beads and Vaishnavas, worshippers of Vishnu, use Tulsi beads.
In Buddhism, several of the sects use 108 bead mala and some others use 27. These shorter rosaries are also called 'prostration rosaries', because they are prefered by those doing prostration chanting. In Tibet, Buddhists chant on a 111 bead mala. The prayer ends on the 100th bead and the 11 that are left compensate for mistakes or offenses while chanting.
In Islam, the prayer bead is known as Misbha. It contains 99 beads corresponding to the 99 names of Allah. Some consist of 33 beads and the chanters circles it 3 times to make one full round. The use of the misbha is an innovation. The prophet Mohamed used his fingers to keep track. Some Muslim sects condemn the idea of the misbha for they say it is a deviation from the original practice of the prophet.
The string of prayer beads of the Roman Catholics and Anglicans is called the Rosary. It is a traditional act of devotion, combining prayer and meditation in sequences called decades unto different divinities like The Father, The Virgin Mary, The Apostles, etc. Eastern Christians use loops of knotted wool (or occasionally of beads), called chotki or komboschinia to pray the Jesus Prayer. Among Russian Old Believers, a prayer rope made of leather, called lestovka, is more common, although this type is no longer commonly used by the Russian Orthodox Church.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
Past Life regression To Heal Mind Body And Soul
By: AnujJain | 09/12/2009Past life regression (PLR) gives a means of contacting the memories of the lives prior to this one. By using PLR, the lessons for this life can be reaffirmed, issues that occur across several lives revisited and identified, and see the true form of the soul through its journeys which remain buried deeply in our memories or sub consciousness.
Why you are a worker?
By: olu mike omoasegun | 08/12/2009As workers in the vineyard of the Lord, we should pause, and ask ourselves this important question: Why am I a worker? Failure to do this has led many to handle the service and work of God with carelessness, non-chalet and carefree attitudes. Many are what they like, the way they like and at the time they like, simply because they don’t know why they are workers. Others are non-committal and ineffective because they have the wrong notion of why they are workers in His vineyard.
The Foreigner woman in Bible versus Quran (1)
By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 07/12/2009The Bible says that the wisdom will save you from the Foreigner Woman, for her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. On the other hand, there is NO Foreigner Women therein in the Quran.
The essential keys to self improvement and motivation
By: Tony G | 07/12/2009What are the three keys to self improvement and motivation? here i will discuss some great ways to self improve your motivation.
Shaman Consciousness
By: Tony G | 07/12/2009If you thought being psychic or having some extra natural power was eerie, then it is time you change that outlook. Today, there are researches and studies that go all the way out to prove that it is quite possible and feasible for the human brain to understand and know a lot of things that are above the normal limits.
Christian church Network
By: John Allen | 07/12/2009The physical distance has not erased our religious connection. iChurchNetwork has bonded the Christian religion within a network where virtual link-up is re-generated and are equally enjoyed.
Overwhelmed By Numbers
By: Rabbi Simcha Weinberg | 07/12/2009I was overwhelmed with all the posts on Shalom Aleichem that I received in response to my invitation. I spent so much time responding to emails, posting, editing etc. that I barely had time to write anything this week. I was thrilled to receive so many beautiful insights into a song that so many take for granted, but I was also distracted. I am far from the best time-manager. (Busy-itis)
The Tree of Life: A Cure For Bittered Waters
By: Stephen Stillman | 06/12/2009We are familiar with the story of Moses leading the people of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. One of their most critical times during this journey was when they were suffering from an almost intolerable thirst. How their hearts beat with joy when they came to Marah and saw water! Just as quickly as their hearts become joyful, despair came again because the waters were too bitter to drink. All of us sooner or later in life come to Marah where we find bitter waters in the cup of human experience.
Video Games Get The Final Votes
By: Victor Epand | 19/09/2008 | Computer GamesThere are many video games on the market that are sure to please every gamer out there no matter what their age.
A Little Potpouri In The Gaming World
By: Victor Epand | 19/09/2008 | Computer GamesNot all games are the same. Some are funny. Others are predictable. In the heap of games to choose from for your fancy, here are some of our offerings.
The Many Forms Of The Slit Drum
By: Victor Epand | 19/09/2008 | MusicA description of what constitutes a slit drum and examples of the many forms the instrument takes around the world, both for music and communication.
Sports Cleats: Studs Vs. Spikes
By: Victor Epand | 19/09/2008 | Sports & FitnessA description of the purpose served by cleats in sports and a breakdown of the different kinds of cleats available.
Computer Games For Children To Play
By: Victor Epand | 19/09/2008 | Computer GamesWho says adults and teens get all the fun? As the power of the computer is realized in schools, more and more games are geared to the youngest students.
Choices In Computer Games Today
By: Victor Epand | 19/09/2008 | Computer GamesFrom paid to free, there are games for all to have. Just keep in mind that as in anything, you may get what you pay for. Don't expect the best from free games since these are used as teasers.
Ski Bindings: Different Strokes For Different Ski Styles
By: Victor Epand | 19/09/2008 | Sports & FitnessAn outline of the different bindings styles used for downhill, cross-country and telemark skiing and what those differences are designed to allow.
A Variety Of Video Games On The Market For Everyone
By: Victor Epand | 19/09/2008 | Computer GamesThere are several video games available on the market today that every gamer no matter what their age are sure to enjoy.