How to Use a Mala

[Will]

Text and videos on this: http://www.google.com/search?client=saf ... 8&oe=UTF-8

[Blue Garuda]

Here's an article I compiled earlier this year:

http://bluegaruda.com/2012/03/06/malas- ... formation/

[Wesley1982]

I coil a knotted Jesus-prayer rope around my left wrist when I need to focus on prayer and ascetic tasks.

[Konchog1]

Here's an article I compiled earlier this year:

http://bluegaruda.com/2012/03/06/malas- ... formation/

You must put energy into your mala before counting recitations with it, to pro­duce real benefit.

How?

[Blue Garuda]

Here's an article I compiled earlier this year:

http://bluegaruda.com/2012/03/06/malas- ... formation/

You must put energy into your mala before counting recitations with it, to pro­duce real benefit.

How?

I interpret this as cleansing and blessing the mala before use.

Coil the mala in your upturned right palm and cup your left palm over the top.

Recite 'Om Ah Hum' 7 times whilst rubbing the mala beads between the hands.

Then blow gently into the mala 3 times.

If you have an HYT Yidam then use their mantra for the 7 repetitions and use 'Om Ah Hum' each of the three times you blow into it.

There are variations of course. I've seen a Geshe additionally recite 7 mantras, counting them on the mala in the traditional way.
I've seen others simply use the three breaths whilst rubbing the mala at the same time.

I'm sure there are other ways such as leaving the mala on the shrine for a while, and new agey or cultural methods using blessed water, a pyramid crystal, etc.

The material used is also considered important. Bodhiseed is considered suitable for all purposes. As an example of other materials, some belelieve that a lapis mala used for Medicine Buddha practice will become blessed through the practice and the energy in it may be used for healing by placing the mala on a patient.

Energising in other faiths is also performed. In the case of a Hindu, the process may be somewhat long and complex:
http://www.astromandir.com/rud2.html

[Konchog1]

Thanks.

[zerwe]

Here's an article I compiled earlier this year:

http://bluegaruda.com/2012/03/06/malas- ... formation/

You must put energy into your mala before counting recitations with it, to pro­duce real benefit.

How?

Here is a mantra for blessing the mala daily before use.

OM RUCHIRA MANI PRAVARTAYA HUM (7X)

Shaun

[Bonsai Doug]

Here is a mantra for blessing the mala daily before use.

OM RUCHIRA MANI PRAVARTAYA HUM (7X)

Shaun

Ah yes, that's the one I was taught and use.

[plwk]

Here is a mantra for blessing the mala daily before use.

OM RUCHIRA MANI PRAVARTAYA HUM (7X)

Shaun

Ah yes, that's the one I was taught and use.

And also I recall being taught to rub the mala slightly with both palms plus blow one's breath on it after reciting this mantra sevenfold... though I wonder if this part is a cultural thingy...

[Konchog1]

Empty Elephant has this one too:

OM SAMBARA SAMBARA BIMANA SARA MAHA JAMBAWA HUNG PHAT SVAHA X 7

The benefits of this dharani are spoken of in the ‘Kadampa Texts as being the following: Before practice, prepare with this dharani. It will increase the recitation billions of times.
This was taught by the Victorious One. Thus it is said.

[Blue Garuda]

Empty Elephant has this one too:

OM SAMBARA SAMBARA BIMANA SARA MAHA JAMBAWA HUNG PHAT SVAHA X 7

The benefits of this dharani are spoken of in the ‘Kadampa Texts as being the following: Before practice, prepare with this dharani. It will increase the recitation billions of times.
This was taught by the Victorious One. Thus it is said.

I would advise using the mantra recommended by your Guru.

Otherwise, ask your Guru to do it for you initially and advise on the mantra to be used before practice.

If neither is possible, use the very general 'Om Ah Hum'.

[Kunga Leshe]

I found this article recently: http://vajratool.wordpress.com/2011/02/ ... -rinpoche/

I've known that the left hand is traditionally used for a while now, but never heard a reason for this. So here it's apparently being advised by Padmasambhava, which I'm sure is reason enough for most, but I'd like to hear practical reasoning for this, if anyone would be so kind.

"Use only your left hand to count mantras. The right hand is but rarely used; for instance, in some wrathful practices. Some books teach the use of both hands, but do not use the right hand only."