Prayer Beads

A ring of beads that turns as you count repetitions of a divine name, a prayer or a word of your own. Choose the string: the Hindu or Buddhist mala of 108, the Tibetan mala with its markers and counters, the Catholic rosary and its decades, the Anglican prayer beads, the tasbih or the Orthodox prayer rope, or a ring of your own from 7 to 108 beads. Count by tap, vibration or a soft tick, or let the beads move on at your pace while you chant aloud. Make a vow of a total and watch it fill, and see your fortnight, your streak and the words you say most. All seven strings are drawn side by side, to compare their shapes and choose one.

mixer

Beads

0 repetitions

Say or think the words once for each bead, and tap (or press Space) as you finish; or draw a finger clockwise round the ring and the beads are counted as you pass them. Backspace takes one back.

WHAT YOU ARE SAYING

A Greek form of the divine name, from the magical papyri to the Golden Dawn.

MALA (108)

The Hindu and Buddhist japa mala: 108 beads and a guru bead where each round begins and ends. 108 is spoken of as a number of wholeness. Smaller malas of 54 or 27 beads are also used.

How it is used

Turn one bead for each repetition between the thumb and middle finger, starting at the bead beside the guru. The guru bead is not counted and many do not cross it: they turn the mala round and go back the other way. Practice varies.

On the ring: the guru bead, also called the sumeru.

PACE

For when your hands are busy or you are chanting aloud: the beads advance by themselves at your pace, one every few seconds.

Vibrate on each bead (phones)A soft tick, and a tone at the end of a round

Your count is kept if you leave and come back. For a spoken name drawn out on the breath, use the vibratory breath.

Seven strings, side by side

Counting on beads or knots is shared by many traditions, each with its own shape: where the round begins, where the larger beads fall, and what hangs from the join. Tap one to count on it.

PRACTISE WITH IT

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A few things to do with this tool, from a first try to a habit. Each one you tick counts as practice for the day, towards your streak and milestones.

Kept in this browser. Notes you send to the journal are kept there as well.

WORKS WELL WITH

LEARN THE BACKGROUND

6 lessons explain the ideas behind this tool.