The Mala as Mandala: The Symbolism and Function of Prayer Beads in Buddhist Practice
Dorji Phuntsho
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science 2025 DOI: 10.47772/ijriss.2025.908000168 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Buddhism |
| Key points | Argues that malas originated in ancient Indian spiritual practices linked to Hindu rituals before being adopted into Buddhist disciplines, and that they have evolved into deeply meaningful objects representing devotion, discipline, and the journey to enlightenment. The article contends that malas continue to serve as tools for mindfulness and personal growth in both religious and secular environments. |
Abstract
Buddhist malas, often known as prayer beads or japamala in Sanskrit, are important spiritual tools in different Buddhist traditions. They are sacred object used to support meditation, mantra recitation, and growing mindfulness. Malas have their roots in ancient Indian spiritual practices. They were first linked to Hindu rituals before being adopted into Buddhist disciplines. Over time, they have changed into deeply meaningful objects that represent devotion, discipline, and the journey to enlightenment. This study looks at how malas have developed historically, their symbolic elements, including bead numbers, materials, and the guru bead, as well as their ritual uses in Vajrayana, Zen, and Theravada Buddhism. Besides their traditional roles, this article also explores how malas have transformed in modern contexts. the research provides a well-rounded view of the mala as both a ritual object and a symbol of the spiritual journey’s cyclical nature. By tracking their evolution and present significance, the study reveals how malas continue to be meaningful tools for mindfulness and personal growth in both religious and secular environments.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on buddhism, most cited first.
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| Too Early to Tell: The Potential Impact and Challenges—Ethical and Otherwise—Inherent in the Mainstreaming of Dharma in an Increasingly Dystopian World | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| From self to nonself: The Nonself Theory | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |