Japa Mala Sandal 06 mm with Knots

Product description Japa Mala Sandal 06 mm with Knots

Japa Mala (thengwa)
Japa Mala is an Indian traditional rosary with 108 beads. Mala (Sanskrit) translates to necklace or garland. Over the ages, it has been adopted by Buddhism as thengwa.

Thengwa is a traditional Tibetan Buddhist rosary bead that has 108 beads and is used for counting when reciting sacred mantras. Thengwa is one of the most famous symbols of Tibet. It is worn in the hand, wrapped around the wrist, or around the neck. The number 108 is Buddhism's most sacred number. This number also has one very practical meaning for every reciter, because if a mantra needs to be recited a hundred times, one only needs to pass the thengwa once, the remaining eight extra mantras are offered by the reciter for the benefit of all sentient beings. The beginning and end of the thengwa is the so-called "teacher's ball", which symbolizes both wisdom and emptiness. After reciting 108 mantras and „going through" the whole thengwa, it is turned over and a new cycle begins in the reverse direction.

The balls that make up the thengwa can be made of different natural materials, different types of wood, fruits, even human or animal (yak) bones, or different semi-precious stones. Lotus seeds are a rare material. Many Buddhist scriptures indicate for which ceremony it is appropriate or directly necessary to use which material. For some special ceremonies, even the number of 108 beads may not be observed. For certain ceremonies, thengwa of 100 or even 60 beads are used. However, the most suitable material is generally considered to be traditional bodhi tree seeds or sandalwood balls, which are suitable for all types of ceremonies.

Note: the color of the fringe may vary.

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