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Has anyone ever prayed the chants using a mala? A mala is similar to a string of beads, very much like a rosary.

There are dozens of different chants that create a different effect depending on the desired outcome.

It has to be done for 40 days and ideally at the same time everyday. If you miss a day you have to start over. This has been my problem. I have forgotten here and there and have tried it 3x so far.

I think there's something special to it. Repeating these sacred sounds are supposed to help burn up karma and help you, in a spiritual way, to obtain what you're seeking.

Does it really matter if you use a mala or not?
I am ignorant on the subject, sorry.

I am more used to just using a mantra than anything else. Then again, I don't conform to any specific religion.

Edit: Never mind. I didn't read the post carefully.
My friend is Buddhist and as far as I have seen, she doesn't use a mala. I suppose it depends on what you are chanting...

I'll shut up now.

Hehe. There are lots of other 'automated' devices for Buddhist chants. Windmills, Waterwheels, Flags, a hand-carried spinner, those with a the words of the prayers inscribed into them or on paper within them.







Monks do cheat yknow.

And nope, never prayed with beads, rosary or mala, back when I still had religion.

Maybe you should try the handheld prayer wheel. Exercises the wrists LOL

Exercise the wrists? Naughty boy Sedative. I think you earned yourself a spanking.

I have seen malas at a our china district here in Fresno..
I have considered going with a best friend to a temple for a month, around Thai new year. I may go... for the sake of research and to extend my knowledge on Buddhism. It would prove very beneficial for my art series on Buddhism.

Rigid spiritual discipline and strictly defined rituals have never been my thing, but I do enjoy the sound quality of Vedic chants. The first japa mantra I learned was the Sri Mrutyunjaya Mantra, and although I enjoy the sound quality of it, after chanting it every day for a year, I can't say as it had any effect. So, I switched to the Gayatri Mantra, and that changed my whole life. I don't use a mala or have any kind of ritual practice; most of the time, the Gayatri Mantra just plays in my head automatically.

The mala I use has 108 beads on it. Some say the the chants should be repeated for 100 times and that the extra 8 beads are there in case you accidentally skip a bead here and there. But I also read that the other 8 beads have to do with praying for or to another entity. I can't remember exactly.

I find it hard to do for the 40 days that they talk of. I've tried it 4x and if you miss a day you're to start all over again.

Paradox, I'll have to look into your mantras and study them more. I am not well versed on all the names as it's a bit overwhelming for me.

So weird did that for the first time last night. Supposedly the beads keep your praying hands slightly apart to facilitate better energy flows better,

nam meyoho renga ko meyoho renga ko meyoho renga ko meyoho renga ko meyoho renga ko meyoho renga ko meyoho renga ko meyoho renga ko meyoho renga ko meyoho renga ko meyoho renga ko meyoho renga ko

I read in a book about Buddhist chants that reciting these chants is supposed to burn up karma. I like the sound of that as I think I have a bit of that in my life.

My Mala has 22 lotus seeds on it. I prefer to use mandalas as well as labyrinth walking in my meditations...

Here the Labyrinth Locator for your enjoyment
http://wwll.veriditas.labyrinthsociety.org/home

I'm a bit confused as to how this labyrinth applies to the mala. I went to that web page and am not clear as to what its purpose is.

I know what a labyrinth is but what is this for?

We used a mala during a yoga session one time. It was some "across america" thing where everyone got together on the beach adn we did 108 sun salutations (one for each bead on the mala) and then chanted OM 108 times. It was one amazing spiritual experience.

Personally, I chant tantric mantras in the morning during meditation to the goddess Kali and the gods Ganesha & Shiva.

Om Shanti, shanti, shanti.

-Den

AlphaDen saidPersonally, I chant tantric mantras in the morning during meditation to the goddess Kali and the gods Ganesha & Shiva.

Ah yes, Ganesha, remover of obstacles to perfect sauerkraut:

Is that an offering to the goddess?

muchmorethanmuscle saidI'm a bit confused as to how this labyrinth applies to the mala. I went to that web page and am not clear as to what its purpose is.

I know what a labyrinth is but what is this for?

A labyrinth is a single path or unicursal tool for personal, psychological and spiritual transformation. Labyrinths are thought to enhance right brain activity.

The Classical Seven Circuit Labyrinth in this example shows that you enter a labyrinth through the mouth and then walk on the paths or circuits. The walls keep you on the path. The goal is in the center of the labyrinth. When you reach it, you have gone half the distance – you now need to turn around and walk back out.

The purpose of the Mala is to help quite the mind and unhinge that "chattering monkey mind" from it's usually patterns. In all my work I've never heard of this 40x things, but then again my Sanskrit and Pali aren't the best.

Also, for all the times I've used my Mala, it shocks me when I finish one full chant or one full breath set. I never know when it is about to end, but love that it brings me immediately into the present. Great way to start a day!

I've noticed that when I pray the mala that when I go to bed I see these bursts of white light flash about. It's as if your eyes are closed and lightning from the sky is making you see white light through your eyelids. I'm sure you've all experienced this. But in my case the sky is completely clear and there is no storm whatsoever. I would certainly like to know what this means. I believe some energy is at work doing something.

Other times the light has been either pink or light blue.

muchmorethanmuscle said I believe some energy is at work doing something.

It is. The glorious thing is that we may never fully understand all of it

It's not glorious. It's very frustrating.

Stoms74 said

muchmorethanmuscle saidI'm a bit confused as to how this labyrinth applies to the mala. I went to that web page and am not clear as to what its purpose is.

I know what a labyrinth is but what is this for?

A labyrinth is a single path or unicursal tool for personal, psychological and spiritual transformation. Labyrinths are thought to enhance right brain activity.

The Classical Seven Circuit Labyrinth in this example shows that you enter a labyrinth through the mouth and then walk on the paths or circuits. The walls keep you on the path. The goal is in the center of the labyrinth. When you reach it, you have gone half the distance – you now need to turn around and walk back out.

But what are you actually doing with them? I went to the web page that you listed and I didn't understand what to do with the labyrinths. Are they simply symbols or do I print out the examples and get a pen and pretend I'm enjoying the extra curricular exercises of The Sun-Times? Like doing a crossword puzzle?

Hey Muchmorethanmuscle,

I have this article and thought you would enjoy it. It is on transforming suffering yet I can't seem to attach it here. Apparently only photos are relevant to be shared but not Buddhist texts. Go figure. Do you have an email address that you would feel comfortable sharing with me so that I can pass along some great material?

Thanks, Brady. Sent to you.

Look forward to reading up on it.

muchmorethanmuscle said

Stoms74 said

muchmorethanmuscle saidI'm a bit confused as to how this labyrinth applies to the mala. I went to that web page and am not clear as to what its purpose is.

I know what a labyrinth is but what is this for?

A labyrinth is a single path or unicursal tool for personal, psychological and spiritual transformation. Labyrinths are thought to enhance right brain activity.

The Classical Seven Circuit Labyrinth in this example shows that you enter a labyrinth through the mouth and then walk on the paths or circuits. The walls keep you on the path. The goal is in the center of the labyrinth. When you reach it, you have gone half the distance – you now need to turn around and walk back out.

But what are you actually doing with them? I went to the web page that you listed and I didn't understand what to do with the labyrinths. Are they simply symbols or do I print out the examples and get a pen and pretend I'm enjoying the extra curricular exercises of The Sun-Times? Like doing a crossword puzzle?

You walk Labyrinths and and Mandalas are more of drawing type stuff. they are just both great tools for focusing/exscaping/recentering

I see. Thank you.