Roman Catholic Rosary

 
 
Roman Catholic Rosary
Enlarge Roman Catholic Rosary

Within a circle of 54 beads—five sets of 10 small beads, each set separated by a distinctively larger bead—a devotee prays to the blessed Virgin and to God the Father. A Hail Mary is recited at each small bead, and a Lord's Prayer at the bigger interval bead. Devotees often make three tours around the rosary, meditating on specific New Testament events called the Mysteries. Rosary comes from the Latin rosarium, which means rose garden, probably a reference to the flower-filled cloister in a church or private residence where prayerful time could be passed in spiritual fullness and earthly beauty. The flower connection is interesting. Mala, remember, means garland of flowers in Sanskrit. What better object to suggest the evanescence of life is there but a flower?

Roman Catholic rosary

Roman Catholic Rosary

Roman Catholic rosary comprised of 8mm fancy jasper ave beads, fired dark red agate pater beads, bronze Celtic crucifix, and traditional miraculous crucifix center. (Photo: Linda Milton)

Dharma Beads: Making and Using Your Own Buddhist Malas
Joanna Arettam (2000) Journey Editions; Tuttle Publishing

 

Dharma Beads: Making and Using Your Own Buddhist Malas

Dharma Beads: Making and Using Your Own Buddhist Malas

Joanna Arettam (2000) Journey Editions; Tuttle Publishing

The practice of meditating with Buddhist malas has been a tradition for thousands of years. With so many people searching for spiritual expression and Buddhism being so popular, its no wonder that a rosary from a 2500 year-old religion has become the hottest trend in contemporary culture. Dharma Beads looks beyond just the hip aspect of wearing Buddhist malas and presents a thoughtful presentation of authentic Tibetan mala traditions and customs. Whatever your spiritual tradition, you can use malas to help you create and maintain a state of quiet reflection: a cloister of the mind.

In this book you'll find fully illustrated easy-to-follow instructions to make three 27-bead malas, a brief history of the use of beads for meditation and prayer around the world, the story of the development of malas in Buddhist tradition, simple suggestions for beginning a spiritual practice using your malas, and color photographs from around the world.