Do’s and Don’ts in using Malas (Contributed by Andre Hanssens from Metta Foundation, Netherlands)
One should hold a mala with gentleness and respect. The mala is usually held in the left hand and each time the thumb and the middle finger takes a bead one at a time.

If one ends a counting session of 108 mantras one should never jump over the Guru bead, but turn the mala 180 degrees to start again. So, do not forget. Never jump over the Guru bead.

A long mala always has 108 beads. No matter what the sizes of the beads are, it is possible that in the long mala after every 27 beads a smaller bead is placed so one is able to know with the eyes closed that one has counted 54 beads, half way. Sometimes halfway a bigger bead or bead made from other material is placed to serve the same purpose.

The number of 108 has a meaning; in Hinduism is that that a deity or god has 108 names. If you multiply 12 with 9 it represents 12 planets in the zodiac houses. If the number 27 is multiplied by 4, it represents the 4 quarters of the moon in each of the 27 of the lunar mansions or constellations. Nine is also magic. A number multiplied by 9 is the sum of those digits is also a multiple of nine. Example: 8 x 9 = 72. 7 + 2 = 9. In Pranayana or Chi Kung breathing it is calculated that a human being takes 21,600 breaths in a 24 hour cycle consisting of 60 periods of 360 breaths. In 12 hours this is 10,800 breaths. (Number 108).

One should never let others use his/her own mala.

]]> 4339 https://fengshuibestbuy.com/product/sl11369-statueraiser/ Thu, 09 Dec 2021 10:36:35 +0000 https://fengshuibestbuy.com/?post_type=product&p=4340 Statue Raiser - Multipurpose - 7-inch Material: Wood Color: Dark Walnut and Gold Dimension(in): 2x6x7 in Weight: 750g ID: SL11369]]> This piece of platform is used to raised Buddhas’ or deities’ statues to a greater height so that they are not blocked by incense burners in front. Some also use this a raiser for beautiful vases, ornaments, feng shui objects and decorative items.The base is made from wood.

]]> 4340 https://fengshuibestbuy.com/product/sl11786-malabeads/ Thu, 09 Dec 2021 10:35:51 +0000 https://fengshuibestbuy.com/?post_type=product&p=4343 Buddhist Green Sandalwood Malas (108 beads) - 6mm Material: Green Sandalwood Color: Natural Dimension(in): 6mm beads Weight: 50g ID: SL11786]]> The use of the mala is to count mantra recitations and also to help one focus concentration and awareness. Each time one counts a bead a mantra is recited and a deity is visualized. Reciting mantra with mala beads involves body, speech and mind. A genuine mala should have 108 beads with a bigger bead at the beginning and end. This bead is called the Buddha or the Guru Bead. The use of a mala made of genuine sandalwood, a fragrant material is intended to overcome all obstacles in the path to Enlightenment and to know the true nature of the mind. It helps to overcome emotions, greed, anger, hate, desire, lust and evil. Sandalwood has the ability to strengthen and purify the mind.

Do’s and Don’ts in using Malas (Contributed by Andre Hanssens from Metta Foundation, Netherlands)
One should hold a mala with gentleness and respect. The mala is usually held in the left hand and each time the thumb and the middle finger takes a bead one at a time.

If one ends a counting session of 108 mantras one should never jump over the Guru bead, but turn the mala 180 degrees to start again. So, do not forget. Never jump over the Guru bead.

A long mala always has 108 beads. No matter what the sizes of the beads are, it is possible that in the long mala after every 27 beads a smaller bead is placed so one is able to know with the eyes closed that one has counted 54 beads, half way. Sometimes halfway a bigger bead or bead made from other material is placed to serve the same purpose.

The number of 108 has a meaning; in Hinduism is that that a deity or god has 108 names. If you multiply 12 with 9 it represents 12 planets in the zodiac houses. If the number 27 is multiplied by 4, it represents the 4 quarters of the moon in each of the 27 of the lunar mansions or constellations. Nine is also magic. A number multiplied by 9 is the sum of those digits is also a multiple of nine. Example: 8 x 9 = 72. 7 + 2 = 9. In Pranayana or Chi Kung breathing it is calculated that a human being takes 21,600 breaths in a 24 hour cycle consisting of 60 periods of 360 breaths. In 12 hours this is 10,800 breaths. (Number 108).

One should never let others use his/her own mala.

Offering the Khata
For Buddhas, holy sites, honored lamas, teachers, dignitaries and elders, the khata is given with folded hands near your forehead, with a humble bow before them, with head bent over and palms joined in respect. You never put the Khata over their neck in this situation. In most cases the giver will receive his or her Khata back from the given, as a token of blessing back to them, especially when you visit high lamas. It is custom to put Khatas over statues of Buddhas, thangkas and pictures of reincarnated Rinpoches. A Khata offered to high Lamas and received back will be cherished and preciously kept as it is now a very special blessing, a talisman and protector. It is usually not recycled.

At many ceremonial occassions, including births, weddings, funerals and graduations you can offer khatas around the neck of recipients provided they are not from the first category, or lay it over the body, in the case of someone who is deceased.

What is a Prayer Wheel?
The concept of the prayer wheel is a physical manifestation of the phrase “turning the wheel of Dharma,” which describes the way in which the Buddha taught. the prayer wheel originated from ‘The School of Shakyamuni sutra, volume 3 – pagoda and temple’. The practitioner most often spins the wheel clockwise, as the direction in which the mantras are written is that of the movement of the sun across the sky. On rare occasions, advanced Tantric practitioners such as Senge Dongma, the Lion-Faced Dakini, spin prayer wheels counterclockwise to manifest a more wrathful protective energy. As the practitioner turns the wheel, it is best to focus the mind and repeat the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra. However, it is said that even turning it while distracted has benefits and merits, and it is stated in the lineage text that even insects that cross a prayer wheel’s shadow will get some benefit. Each revolution is as meritorious as reading the inscription aloud as many times as it is written on the scroll. The benefits attributed to the practice of turning the wheel are vast. Not only does it help wisdom, compassion and bodhichitta arise in the practitioner, it also enhances siddhis (spiritual powers such as clairvoyance, precognition, reading others thoughts, etc.). The practitioner can repeat the mantra as many times as possible during the turning of the wheel, stabilizing a calm, meditative mind. At the end of a practice session, there is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition of dedicating any accumulated merits that one may have gathered during practice to the benefit of all sentient beings. Then chant Om Ah Hum three times.

Removable although not advisable as it may spoil the spinning mechanism, the mantra scroll made of thin paper is tightly wound and kept inside, printed with many repetitions of the 8 types of mantras as follows:

1. Triple Gem Mantra – 40 repetitions
2. Amitabha Mantra – 40 repetitions
3. Longevity Buddha Mantra – 40 repetitions
4. Green Tara Mantra – 40 repetitions
5. Avalokitesvara Mantra – 40 repetitions
6. Lotus Heart Mantra – 40 repetitions
7. Wealth Jhambala Mantra – 40 repetitions
8. Relationship Mantra – 40 repetitions

Buddhists believe that the prayer wheel radiates peace, kindness, and relief from suffering for all beings. According to Buddhist teachings, spinning a prayer wheel has many benefits for you, your family and even the world, too many to mention here. Briefly, the blessings of the prayer wheel helps bring happiness to you, your home, and to all beings. It helps transform your home into a very peaceful, pleasant and holy place. And it helps to heal sickness and protect from diseases. According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition based on the lineage texts regarding prayer wheels, spinning such a wheel will have much the same meritorious effect as orally reciting the prayers. The prayer wheel spinning actually facilitates those illiterate to chant the mantra and the effect is the same as reading the mantra. The prayer wheel is used to accumulate wisdom and merit (good karma) and to purify negativities (bad karma), thus resulting in less sufferings and a smoother life. Simply touching a prayer wheel is said to bring great purification to negative karmas and obscurations. This translates to good luck in the layman’s interpretation.

What is a Prayer Wheel?
The concept of the prayer wheel is a physical manifestation of the phrase “turning the wheel of Dharma,” which describes the way in which the Buddha taught. the prayer wheel originated from ‘The School of Shakyamuni sutra, volume 3 – pagoda and temple’. The practitioner most often spins the wheel clockwise, as the direction in which the mantras are written is that of the movement of the sun across the sky. On rare occasions, advanced Tantric practitioners such as Senge Dongma, the Lion-Faced Dakini, spin prayer wheels counterclockwise to manifest a more wrathful protective energy. As the practitioner turns the wheel, it is best to focus the mind and repeat the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra. However, it is said that even turning it while distracted has benefits and merits, and it is stated in the lineage text that even insects that cross a prayer wheel’s shadow will get some benefit. Each revolution is as meritorious as reading the inscription aloud as many times as it is written on the scroll. The benefits attributed to the practice of turning the wheel are vast. Not only does it help wisdom, compassion and bodhichitta arise in the practitioner, it also enhances siddhis (spiritual powers such as clairvoyance, precognition, reading others thoughts, etc.). The practitioner can repeat the mantra as many times as possible during the turning of the wheel, stabilizing a calm, meditative mind. At the end of a practice session, there is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition of dedicating any accumulated merits that one may have gathered during practice to the benefit of all sentient beings. Then chant Om Ah Hum three times.

Note: There is no warranty of lifetime/reliability provided to any part of the prayer wheel. All parts are delicate, therefore it cannot withstand rough handling, spinning and drop.

FRAGILE: Made partially by perspex at the center with a heavy base at the bottom, this pagoda must be held and supported at the base and NEVER at the neck or at the upper half to prevent it from breaking apart.

]]> 4272