Natural Nut Hand Beads

Traditionally, Buddhist rosaries have 108 beads, representing the 108 human passions, or one mala counts as 100 mantras, and the 8 extra are meant to be dedicated to all sentient beings (the practice as a whole is dedicated at its end as well).

Some smaller Chinese rosaries have 18 beads, one for each lohan. In Pure Land Buddhism, for instance, 27 bead malas are common.

Even the beads that fasten the string together have a meaning: they symbolize the three jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the dharma (his teachings), and the Buddhist community. The string passing through the beads stands for the power of all the Buddhas that runs through everything.

Oval-shaped beads with a natural-grain look, polished smooth. 19 beads; 19 inches long; 1 inch bead