How are Malas used in the spiritual Buddhist practice?
Are there instructions and introductions for use?
I am equally interested in responses from the Buddhist practice of monks and lay people (less New Age theories). I am particularly interested the application of Malas uses of all Buddhist lineages in everyday life.
String of beads can be used in Anussati meditation in sitting or when you are out of meditation to occupy the mind with wholesome thoughts.
A lot of prayer beads have a certain number of beads that correspond to the number of chants one should undertake, usually ending in the number 8 since it is considered a good number. It is to keep your place when you chant. I have a number of them that are 108 count mala beads for the purpose of counting off chants that are 108 repetitions.
