Agilawood prayer necklace, 108 beads, 6mm

This mala contains 108 wooden beads.

It has an elasticated cord so it can also be easily worn as a bracelet.

Agarwood, also known as Udu or the Tree of the Gods, has been used in incense and perfume since ancient times and is mentioned in the world's oldest written sources - the Sanskrit Vedas, the Old Testament and Islamic scriptures. It was believed that agarwood was so powerful that it could purify the soul and cast out evil spirits.
The scent of Ūdo is extraordinary, it is hard to even describe - rich, warm, deep, varied. It is both sweet and sour, spicy and animalistic, earthy and woody.

The necklace of beads is mainly used for counting repeated mantras. So it actually serves the same purpose as the rosary. Necklaces made of (semi-) precious stones, pearls, bodhi seeds or wood can serve a variety of purposes, such as counting any number of mantras or other forms of prayer, bows, walks and so on. The necklace is the same for each mala and should be made of nine threads representing Buddha Vajradhara and the eight Bodhisattvas. The larger bead at the end represents the wisdom that perceives emptiness, and the cylindrical bead on the large bead represents emptiness itself. Together they symbolise victory over all adversity.

The mala (necklace) with 108 beads is used when reading or chanting mantras. 108 is the ideal number for all purposes. It is important to keep our minds pure while reading or chanting the mantra. "Mantra is a practical use of secret powers that can help our progress. "Mantra means a set of letters from the alphabet. The effect will be felt by chanting the mantra over and over again; this will lead to a deeper and deeper immersion as this recitation continues. The sound produced by the recitation is essential. This sound creates a unique spiritual imprint on the person reciting. It is said that a mantra is like a human being; one has to go through various stages before the final effect can be achieved: "Purification of Mental Impressions". There are various mantras with inherent potential power; this can only be personally transmitted through the initiation of a Master. These are the so-called "Siddha Mantras". Some malas (bead necklaces) have two counting devices with pictures of Vajra and Bello. In Buddhism, the symbolic meaning of these images is "method and wisdom, masculine and feminine principles". The animal bone symbolises the transient state of all beings. These counting devices are used in retreats for the recitation of 100 000 mantras.

Bead size: 0,6 cm

Length: 32,5 cm

Weight: 12 g