Just like in many other religions, rosary beads play an important role in Buddhism. They are used to count the number of spoken prayers and mantras, bows performed and various rituals. In addition, important information is encoded in them, which carries a message to all followers of philosophical doctrine. So how many beads are there in a Buddhist rosary, and what is the significance of it? Let's consider further.
Buddhist rosary and their meaning in religious terms
Buddhist prayer beads are pronounced prenva in Tibetan and mala in Sanskrit. As a cult accessory, they can perform several functions at the same time:
1. A reminder of a religious ritual, prayer. In some cases, the rosary helps to read the words of the prayer in a specific sequence.
2. Device for the account. When reciting a prayer or performing a certain religious action, the beads are laid aside. This makes it possible not to get confused in the number of rituals performed.
3. Using a rosary as a symbol. It is known that rosary beads are made of a specific material and have a certain number of beads. This has a special meaning. Depending on the traditions of the school and the desire to achieve some goal, a choice is made in favor of certain rosaries.
4. Rosary beads as a distinctive sign. This function flows smoothly from the previous paragraph. By the appearance and features of this attribute, it can be concluded that its owner belongs to a certain school of Buddhism and the degree of its preparation.
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5. Counting out the rhythm. Some rituals, mantras and prayers require maintaining a rhythm, which helps to cope with the fingering of rosary beads.
6. Maintaining concentration, fighting sleep. It is believed that fingering each rosary bead returns attention and focus on prayer or performing ritual actions.
7. Medicinal properties. It is believed that beads made of certain materials are capable of curing various bodily ailments.
For example, Buddhist tattoos and their meaning are unusually deep. Sometimes you can find images of palms applied to the body, folded in prayer and with a rosary on the wrist. Also, a tattoo can be presented in the form of a monk or the Buddha himself, who is in the lotus position and a state of prayer, while holding in his hand this inalienable belonging of a follower of philosophical teachings. And this is not without reason: being an important cult attribute of the Buddhist religion, the rosary is considered a companion not only of the faithful followers of Buddhism, but also of ordinary fans of its ideas.
Number of beads in a Buddhist rosary
Why are there often 108 beads in Buddhist rosary and how can this be explained? The fact is that this figure is considered sacred in Buddhism, since it was established by the Buddha himself. A rosary with so many beads, according to the canonical traditions of the teaching, is composed of 9 grains 12 times. This is interpreted as follows:
- each lama (Buddhist monk), going on a journey, can take with him no more than 9 items;
- number 12 includes seven and five;
- seven represents seven days of the week, seven stars of the Big Dipper, seven colors of the rainbow, seven notes;
- the five symbolizes the primary elements of nature.
There are other interpretations of the numbers 9 and 12. For example, nine is the number of months that should elapse from conception to birth. In this case, the nine is repeated 12 times, that is, there are so many cycles (the so-called "zodiacs" or "branches" in eastern cultures).
In addition, there are rosaries with a different number of beads: 19, 21, 27, 33, 41, 50, 98, 143, 159. One way or another, all rosary beads are the embodiment of the multidimensionality of the world.
What is the meaning of the color and material of the rosary
It is not for nothing that special importance is given to the material and color of the beads that make up the beads. Buddhists believe that certain rosary material is capable of carrying a special energetic and emotional message:
rock crystal (quartz) - helps to cleanse the mind and body;
white sandalwood is the most “pure” material, embodying pacification, “cold” of the mind;
red sandalwood - concentration of energy, activity, warming (used in tantric practices);
rudrakshas (dried fruits of the tree) - awaken powerful energy, strength, the ability to subdue the will of living beings according to good goals;
seeds of the bodhi tree - such rosary beads are especially sacred, as they personify the stage of Buddha's Enlightenment, which took place under the bodhi tree;
neem tree - has healing properties;
juniper - protects from evil spirits, attracts positive energy;
bones - a reassessment of life, getting joy from every moment;
lotus seeds - a rosary made of this material is used mainly for worshiping the deity Lakshmi and the Deities of the lotus family;
pearls - carries feminine energy, cools the mind, removes doubts, cleanses all seven chakras;
jade - eliminates negativity, pacifies, awakens love.
Each school of Buddhism has a particular preference for rosary material. For example, in Tantrism and Shaivism, bone (beads in the form of human skulls) or rudraksha is more often chosen; vaisnavism - nim, tulasi; shaktzme - metal, crystal, rudraksha.