What is Japamala? History, meaning, how to make it, how to use it and more!

The japamala is an ancient devotional object consisting of a string of beads used in meditation practices for repetition and counting of mantras. It is also considered a protective talisman against negative energies and a facilitator of relaxation.

There are many benefits it can provide, one of them being an aid in meditative practices to achieve mindfulness. Discover in this article the origins and history of japamala, what are its benefits, and how to make and energize yours. Check out!

Two-thirds of religions around the world use some form of string of beads to chant mantras or prayers. This habit is believed to have emerged in Hinduism and was later adopted by Buddhists, giving rise to japamala. See below a little of the history, what are the uses and how japamala is made.

Japamala is a word derived from Sanskrit, in which “japa” means to whisper, murmur and “mala” means cord, necklace. Thus, in a literal translation, it can be said that japamala is a whisper necklace, that is, to meditate, pray.

Historians have found records of the first bead necklaces in Africa from 10,000 BC And in India the use of beads for prayer dates back to the 8th century BC, one of the most distant in the world. The oldest necklaces found to date are around 4,200 years old.

Its origin, in the format in which it is known today, comes from the Hindu tradition of Yoga, which was later adopted by Buddhism for meditative practices and probably served as inspiration for the western rosary of the Catholic branch of Christianity.

There are several religions that employ some type of string of beads for their practices. Some of the most well-known strings are:

– Masbahas or Misbahas, used in Islamic tradition having 99 or 33 beads;
– Japamala, used by Hindus and Buddhists, with 108 beads or their multiples;
– Rosary of the Sikh tradition, with 27 or 108 beads;
– Christian rosaries with 59 beads for Catholics, 100 komboskini knots for Orthodox or 33 beads for Anglicans;
– Initiatory rosary with 33 Rosicrucian and Freemason beads.

Japamala is used in different ways according to the spiritual practice in which it is employed. In Hinduism, it is mainly used in “Sadhana” or “Abhyasa”, terms that mean spiritual practice, daily practice of Yoga, and is also widely used as a protective amulet.

As for Buddhist practice, japamalas are employed in different ways according to the ramifications of religion, but in general, in meditations and repetitions of mantras. Its uses are not limited to these practices, as it is currently used in repetitions of prayers such as ho’oponopono, prayer originating in Hawaii, mentalizations and several others.

Currently, one can find japamalas made of the most diverse materials, but according to tradition they must be made with wooden beads, seeds or stones. In India, the most popular ones are made from rudraksha seeds, also known as “Tears of Shiva”, whose benefits are disseminated among meditation practitioners.

It used to be very common for them to also be made with sandalwood beads, which is a naturally fragrant wood. However, with the exacerbated exploitation of this sacred tree, the japamalas made with this material became rare.

There are several materials, always of natural origin, used in the manufacture of japamalas, such as semi-precious stones, which carry their own energies. In Brazil, you can find japamalas made from açaí seeds. The cord is necessarily cotton and finally, the Meru and the tassel.

The japamala is made up of 108 accounts or their multiples; the Meru – or “guru”, which is the mark of the beginning or end of the repetitions, usually of another color or shape, must not be touched or counted and symbolizes the master who guides the practice. Finally, it is decorated with a tassel or tassel, an ornament made of fringes, sometimes colored.

Traditional japamalas have, in essence, 108 beads, as this is a very symbolic number for Yoga. Ancient sacred texts suggest that mantras must be repeated 108 times to reach the state of transcendence, the higher stage of consciousness in which the mind’s fixations are overcome.

In traditional Buddhist thought, people are believed to possess 108 afflictions or kleshas – mental states that disturb the mind and turn into harmful actions. Another reading explains that 108 is the number of possible dharmas.

Another possibility is that 108 is a consecrated number for mathematical, physical and metaphysical reasons, as it is a product of simple operations. It is possible to find references to this number for sun salutations during ritualistic Yoga practices. And in several Buddhist temples there are stairs with 108 steps and 108 yantras, diagrams used in meditation.

Also, there are suitcases with 54 and 27 beads, and malas with 18 and 9 can also be found, although they are rarely used. However, during the practice of meditation, the repetitions must always lead to 108, so in the case of a japamala with 54 beads, two cycles must be completed, if it has 27 beads, 4 cycles must be completed, and so on.

For Tibetan Buddhism, larger japamalas with 111 beads are often used. When counting, they calculate a cycle as 100 repetitions and 11 additional beads to make up for errors.

In Japanese Buddhism, prayer beads are called “ojuzu” or “nenju”, and have different formats, and may be longer and have wires at the ends. These beads can be rubbed during devotional practice, creating a purifying noise.

Double bead necklaces, called nikka juzu, are also found, used to recite the names of Buddha. Among the different practices, some changes in the format can be noticed, but among the followers, the 108-bead malas are generally the most used.

In various religions around the world, variations of japamala are employed in repeating prayers, mantras and breathing. This is a tool often used to maintain focus during a spiritual practice, but not only this benefit is obtained by the frequent use of japamala. Understand what are some of its numerous benefits. See below!

For some people meditating can be tricky as focusing completely becomes the first and most difficult hurdle. Japamala helps to establish focus, as having something in hand can help to turn attention to the object.

Because of this, some japamalas are made with materials that help in this meditative process, such as, for example, stones such as amethyst or sandalwood. In addition, it is believed that they can accumulate good energy as they are used, recharging the person with each meditation.

The materials used in the manufacture of japamala generally have therapeutic benefits, which are activated by simple contact with the beads. Also, as it is an object that absorbs the practitioner’s good energies, handling or being in contact with japamala activates the energy field of those who touch it, ensuring protection and transmutation of harmful energies.

When coming into contact with japamala when practicing meditations and affirmations, the mind understands that it is time to disconnect and focus on the spiritual, helping deep meditation in encountering the transcendence of matter.

For Buddhists and Hindus, mantras must be repeated 108 times to reach the state of mindfulness and transcendence. It would be a problem to worry about counting while meditating, as the focus would be lost.

Therefore, japamala is widely used for this purpose, as it allows you to know how much has been repeated without requiring a conscious mental count.

Japamala alone is already an energetically powerful spiritual tool, as it absorbs the energies of mantras and the practitioner’s personal power. Because of this, its uses for healing, both physical and emotional and energetic, are many. Thus, repetitions of healing mantras with japamala become even more potent.

In the practice of Reiki, for example, it is not rare to see the therapist carrying the japamala for full attention, directing energy and protecting his auric field. The patient can also receive Reiki with their japamala in hand, as it is an amulet that attracts and maintains energy, which enhances the practice and keeps it in their body for longer.

The japamala when taken next to the body of the practitioner, in addition to the benefits of protection and energy, serves as a constant reminder of the spiritual, because with each touch of the stones in the body, the subconscious turns attention to this object, which in turn acts as a magnet of good energies and barrier against the bad ones.

Therefore, japamala is widely used by practitioners who seek discipline in their spirituality, as they are being recharged with this energy all the time, in every area of ​​their lives.

Meditation with mantras when it is a daily practice has the power to activate healing, self-knowledge and confidence, in addition to improving memory and concentration. It also reduces stress and anxiety, balances emotions and activates self-acceptance and self-empowerment. As a tool of this practice, japamala carries all these benefits.

Among so many pros, japamala helps the meditation practitioner to reach the most authentic stage of transcendence, representing the real personal and spiritual goals, banishing insecurities and other obstacles in order to prepare the person to achieve their goals.

The use of japamala for practices such as meditation, ho’oponopono, repetition of mentalizations and gratitude guarantee a look at the world through the eyes of spirituality. It is well known that only a perspective of gratitude to life cultivates empathy and mental resilience, changing your vibrational pattern for good and love.

Of course, the focus of spirituality is not doing to receive something in return, but the opposite – sowing and reaping, or in the language of physics, action and reaction. When we energetically vibrate good energies, we attract the same.

Therefore, the simple act of cultivating your positive energy already attracts more and more of it into your life, in all…