I live deep in the mountains where most are Christians, but I am a practicing Buddhist. Thank you for these videos, they're lifesaving for someone who cannot get to a temple like I.
In order to bless the mala and increase the power of the recitation my guru told me that, as explained by Buddha in the sutra teachings, there are mantras to be recited. For instance, if you recite OM SAMBHARA SAMBHARA BIMANA SARA MAHA JAVA HUM/ OM SMARA SMARA BIMANA SKARA MAHA JAVA HUM seven times, it increases any merit you collect during the rest of the day 100,000 times. There is also the mantra to bless the rosary: OM RUCHIRA MANI PRAVARTAYA HUM. If you recite this mantra seven times and blow on your rosary, it increases any mantras of buddha you recite by counting with the rosary many trillions of times. May every sentient beings be blessed by these powerful recitations 🙏❤️✨
Yes, these are "blessing the speech" mantras. They're relevent to mantra chanting, generally. By blessing speech before chanting the mantras, then blowing on the mala, merit can be increased if you have faith. In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏
@@BuddhaWeeklyhi can I check can the mantra “Om ruchira mani pravartaya hum” be chant by the owner to consecrate a new mala ? Or the new mala has to be consecrated by a teacher through a ritual?
You are providing us such important info, the right way to use of Mala according to Guru Rinpoche. Heartfelt Gratitude. 🙏☸️📿 Namo Guru Rinpoche 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💐💐💐💐💐💐💐☸️🪷❤️💎
What about bone males? I use my skull/bone mala for practicing the Great Black Six Armed One and my bodhiseed mala for practicing Chenresig etc. Thank you for uploading. I learned a lot. I did not know about the way to count in the sense of the finger you uses for a specific deity. Very awesome that you gave this information. You are like the Dharma delivery Company. You bring it to me and for that I am very grateful. Your channel has brought me more than you can imagine. You have won a supporter for sure. Have a blessed day, happiness and joy and everything auspicious on your side...thank you🙏
Thank you for your very kind words. Yes, we should have mentioned bone (normally yak) malas often carved as skulls. Normally these are made from Yak or similar bones that would otherwise be wasted. These are important symbols of impermanence, and are very often used for more wrathful practices -- in the same way as a kapala -- however generally we don't mention them as much because they can be easily misunderstood and may not be appropriate for peaceful deities aspects such as Avalokiteshvara or Tara and for students who are not comfortable. Some teachers never recommend them at broader teachings (only at specific teachings) due to misunderstandings (not because they're not recommended), and normally if students are using bone malas it will be blessed by the teacher and that student will have appropriate teachings and understand the symbolic symbolism (impermanence, etc.). The symbolism of malas is important. For instance, since we use malas for our mandala offerings (or many of us do), it is best to have a mala we find precious materials (that can include any material we ourselves find precious) because we are symbolically offering our mala to the Three Jewels every time we do mandala or even when we chant mantras (especially if we dedicate the merit.) This is why Bodhi Seed is the most recommended -- because the symbolism is incredibly clear. It serves all purposes and is the only material, of all the potential materials you could use in a mala, that is unquestionably associated with Buddha. Thanks again for kind words! 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Ah, alright of course people would not understand. It is quite powerful to use though and has, as you said, great symbolism in the context of impermanence and death. Thank you for your kind answer.@@BuddhaWeekly
Myself as a Germanic Heathen, being a Dharmic faith itself and with the word "bead" being so intrinsically connected to prayer as in "bid", I have begun assorting a practice that I can construct and this video has helped me a lot. Thank you much, and may Father bless you 🙏
Thank you. Yes, we certainly will. We do have quite a few on the channel now @buddhaweekly . You might be interested in these titles: Vajra and Bell video: ruclips.net/video/pdkNU1SSrF8/видео.html Vajrayana Visualization video: ruclips.net/video/CKoaxsZz9pk/видео.html 9 Benefits of Buddhist Mantras: ruclips.net/video/BP88u6MRO8Y/видео.html&t And many others. Hope that helps. In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
I recommand you to watch the story, of the founder of Vajrayana Buddhism ( Guru Padmasambhava) on youtube, from Shambhala Studio. 1. Searching for the Lotus-Born Master. 2. Return of the Lotus-Born Master.
🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏 We have both a written feature and video coming. It's taking us awhile to get through all the many projects, but we definitely have it top of mind. 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Maybe a bit of an unrelated question, but if we do any of these disrespectful things, like stepping over dharma objects, does that guarantee rebirth in the lower realms??
No, not at all. Nothing is ever "guaranteed" first of all. Karma also doesn't necessarily ripen immediately, or ever, and it can be reversed as well. But, more important in this question is intention. Karma is a matter of intention and action. If you deliberately did the disrespectful thing (i.e. negative intention plus negative action), it's very bad, of course, but negative action without negative intention doesn't ripen into negative karma on the "cosmic scoreboard." (Cosmic scoreboard is just a way of thinking of it as a "balance.") The fact that you ask, is a good action, positive karma. (A tick on the positive side of the Cosmic Scoreboard to use my silly metaphor.) Lower realms is a state of mind, to a large extent, and we can live in these realms right now, in this very life we're in now. If you create a negative actions (which just means you've harmed another in some way), the karma is ripening, but if you regret and refrain, you prevent it from ripening. (In other words, you're definitely NOT guaranteed to go to lower realms, etc.) On the other hand, if you have the intention to do negative things, and then do it, and you don't regret -- well you're already living in that negative realm right now. There's "lower realms" right here in this life. If we, in our lives, are never satisfied, that means we're already living in the "hungry ghost realm." If we have excessive anger or hate, we are already living the "asura" or demigod realm -- always going to war with people. If you want to think in terms of the formal cycle of rebirth, then karma still makes sense in the context of intention. Traditionally, karma ripens with intention. Karma can also be "reversed" through the power of the four Rs: or the Four Opponent Powers: Dependence, Regret, Remedy, and Restraint which we practice, for example, with Vajrasattva practice. (Which is why it's so powerful and indispensable to most of us.) So, first of all, regret and refrain. If you didn't intend and you regretted instantly, there really is no negative karma. Dos and Don'ts are to help us, not condemn us. In fact, karma is a very empowering thing. 🙏🙏🙏
I feel that it would not come to such extremes. You'd have to do more atrocious things than that. Besides that, you are here asking these questions so I think you're safe, my friend. ☺ I feel that it has more to do with a sense of humility and respect for the dharma and your teacher and most of all awareness of your own actions. Otherwise it would just be a thing with which you do something. If you treat your mala this way, you'll surely be more attentive singing your mantras and giving them more power with this humble attention and intention. But that's just me. Have a blessed day my dear dharma friend.@@officialpaimon3176
I've gotten good at using my fingers as a mala....hahah not like Angulimala though! There are 14 segments of your fingers. I count them 8 times and that fulfills 111+ mantras. My mala is my hands!
@@BuddhaWeekly I have a question: if a mala has like, less beads, like 107 or more, like 109, does that create negative karma? is it harmful to the practitioner? causes obstacles and such??
Thank you for the question. It's not a fault or obstacle. 108 is symbolic and the positive symbolism is auspicious, but there's no negative side to 107, 101, etc.. The general rule is it must be more than 100 (unless you want to keep track of quarter malas, etc, where you go four time around). , and each round of a mala counts as 100 (even though you did 108). This is because we almost always make pronunciation or practice mistakes, so the 8 covers our mistakes. In other words, as long as you can keep track of your 100s. So if you're counting in a retreat, (or just daily practice), you accumulate 100 for each round, not 108, so ten rounds is 1000 (and if you're using a counter, you pull one down at 10 rounds or 1000.) We'll cover some advanced topics in a future video, but there's no negative aspect to the number of beads. There is an auspicious aspect, but not a negative one. Hope that helps. 🙏🙏🙏❤❤🙏🙏🙏
@@BuddhaWeekly Do you have any advice on how audibly mantras could or should be chanted? Is it best for them to be spoken aloud, whispered or silent (mentally)?
The very best advice on mantras came from Guru Rinpoche, usually when teaching Lady Yeshe. (I'll add some links below). In a nutshell, it depends on the mantra and where you are. If it's a praise mantra or a name mantra, such as Om Avalokiteshvaraya Bodhisattvaya or any Namo mantra with joy and enthusiasm, musically is good -- the idea is to praise with joy. So, for example, if your intention is praise and joy and prostration, then manifest it in that way with joyful chanting. For mantras where the sound benefit is also explicity (such as Om Ah Hum mantra) -- where the vibratory sound is part of the practice, it should be aloud. In the feature I linked below "Practicing Mantras" the way you can benefit from the sound vibration if you're in a public place is "If you do not wish to disturb anyone that may be around you, you can whisper the sounds subvocally." (Just loud enough for vibratory benefit.) For most mantras, even supplicating mantras (where an activity is requested) they can also be aloud and can also be musical or joyous if they are not a restricted practice (that is, a mantra that should not be heard by someone who has not received the teaching that enables comprehension.) Some mantras are explicitly stated as for the benefit of sentient beings. For instance, in the Sutra of Forming Hayagriva, even though he is a "wrathful form of Avalokiteshvara" it starts "If any being, even an insect, hears this mantra, they will never again be born to the lower realms." etc. So, clearly, the instruction from lineage is out loud and for others to hear and benefit. (By the way, we have a feature on "Practicing Mantras" on our magazine webiste: buddhaweekly.com/157/ ) Others are not explicit, or a teacher transmitted it as a secret mantra. If so, you chant these at a volume that people cannot hear around you. If you're alone, you can be louder, if you're in a public area, under your breath. Although you can mentally recite as well, if you have concentration, softly or "above a whisper, below normal speech" for private mantras. The other times you're quieter is when you do mantra retreats in groups. This is where you are accumulating mantras in a retreat format. Chanting too loudly is disturbing, especially if you're "mispronouncing" -- it influences others around you. But that's "formal practice" in a group. Very few mantras, in practice, are secret however, except various wrathful practices. The main requirement is usually just Bodhichitta intention -- the intention to become Enlightened to benefit others. More important than volume is normally -- concentration, pronunciation (although even this doesn't matter if you have faith), faith, and Bodhichitta intention. Verbal recitation blesses the speech. Mental (non verbal visualization or "thinking" the mantra) blesses the mind. Written forms "bless the body." This is advice from Guru Rinpoche: "Mantra is the word of truth; if what you wish for does not happen as I have promised, I, Padma, have deceived sentient beings-absurd! I have not deceived you-it will happen just as I’ve promised. If you are unable to recite the mantra, use it to adorn the tops of victory banners and prayer flags; there is no doubt that sentient beings touched by the same wind will be liberated. Otherwise, carve it on hillsides, trees, and stones; after they are consecrated, anyone who merely passes by and sees them will be purified of illness, spirit possession, and obscurations. Spirits and demons dwelling in the area will offer wealth and riches. Write it in gold on pieces of indigo paper and hang them up; demons, obstacle-makers, and evil spirits will be unable to harm you. If you place the mantra upon a corpse immediately upon death and do not remove it, during cremation rainbow colors will flash out and the consciousness will definitely be transferred to the Blissful Realm of Amitābha. The benefits of writing, reading and reciting the Vajra Guru mantra are immeasurable. For the benefit of sentient beings in the future, write tåhis down and conceal it. May it meet with those of fortune and merit. Samaya Gya Gya Gya” This refered to the Vajra Guru Mantra, but many of the teachings there apply more broadly. From: buddhaweekly.com/vajra-guru-mantra/ Hope this helps. We have a very extensive library of features on practicing mantras on our website: buddhaweekly.com/mantra/
@@BuddhaWeekly Wow, what an amazing comprehensive reply, thank you. I've been practicing mantra recitation for some years now, and, to be honest, my recitations are almost always mental. From the beginning I have used malas, and really enjoyed your video, finding that much of your advice resonated with my own experience. Because I often used time travelling to and from work and elsewhere to recite mantra, I became habituated eventually to invariably reciting silently, since I travel on public transport and dislike drawing attention to my practice. Thanks to your feedback I am inspired to explore other possibilities. I am so glad that my silent, mental recitations have not gone to waste. I am aware that focus and concentration very much affects the effectiveness of recitation, but I did not know that pronunciation was also important. Thank you once again.
Re. wearing malas around the neck: in the Japanese tradition, there is some variance in opinion regarding this across different schools. So for instance in Zen, high-ranking monks often wear a mala around their neck following Chinese custom, but in Shingon Buddhism (what I follow) it is heavily discouraged. (I'm not entirely sure the reason as to why, but some claim it was because in the past, people who were about to be executed or wayward monks who were expelled from temples were made to wear malas around their necks.) A few other schools meanwhile use malas that you can't wear around your neck in the first place. (Tendai Buddhists use one with flat beads for instance, which makes for a much shorter mala.)
@@BuddhaWeekly I also have a question: do Tibetan Buddhists rub their malas? Rubbing malas (usually to produce a loud jangling sound) is a pretty common - although not universally accepted - custom here.
Interesting question. It's not specifically mentioned in formal teachings from Padmasambhava or other teachings that I've read or received, but the custom arises (I believe) in the same tradition as blowing on the mala. After your teacher blesses your mala, or you finish your own session of mantras, it's common to "roll it between two hands" then coil in your cupped hands and blow on it, then touch the top of the head. All of these are blessing/consecrating activities. Very often when my mala has been blessed at teachings, my teachers (several do this) roll it (it can make a sound) blow on it, then when they pass it to me I touch the top of my head respectfully. I haven't heard any significance to the loud jangling sound, but that's understandable when your roll beads. Maybe others have come across teachings specifically relating to the sound, not sure, let us know. Another use of malas is in formal Tibetan debate. It's a very beautiful practice. There's a lot of gesturing with malas. Then, of course there's the offering of mandalas with your malas. In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏
@BuddhaWeekly Interesting! Thank you very much for answering. 🙏 On the Japanese side, rubbing the mala with both hands to produce a rolling / swishing sound (the onomatopeia for this is "jara-jara") is usually done at the beginning and end of a practice or ceremony. Some teachers interpret this as a form of blessing or exorcism: you purify yourself and your surroundings with the sound of the beads. In some situations (usually in public ceremonies), rubbing the mala may also function as a stand-in or shortcut for reciting a certain number of mantras. For instance, the practice might stipulate that a given mantra be repeated say, 1080 times, but in actual practice the preceptor monk might actually only do 108 repetitions of the mantra and then rub his mala. It is a prevalent custom but opinions on it vary. Some traditions actively encourage the practice (in fact, this is partly why Tendai and Shugendo - a mix of Buddhism and native mountain worship / ascetism - malas have flat or abacus-like beads: they make a more pronounced swishing sound) and do it with gusto, but other teachers - from my experience, it is often Shingon monks - consider making a loud sound with your mala uncouth or disrespectful (from a practical standpoint, constantly rubbing your mala vigorously increases the risk of breaking it); as a concession, some of them would advise that malas only be rubbed lightly and carefully for as few as three times.
No te preocupes, sólo restringe y vuelve a bendecir. Como decimos al final del video, las enseñanzas dicen simplemente restringe y rebendice. No está nada mal en ningún sentido. Don't worry, just restring and rebless. As we say at the end of the video, the teachings say just restring and rebless. It's not bad in any way. In kindness, BW🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Very true. Real Bodhi Seed in small size especially can be expensive. The symbolism is more important. As long as we've invested in practicing with the mala -- using it in our practice, having it blessed by our teacher, or chanting mantras on it daily -- then it becomes priceless even if it's made from the most inexpensive material. The true value is the symbolism of Dharma and our practice. 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
@@BuddhaWeekly Regretfullythat depends om where you buy it. In the west we sometimes pay a lot. Right now I am in Nepal (departing on Saturday for Holland after 4 months) I have bought malls for family and friends. Genuine material because my Newari friend nows people so the won't cheat me. Seashell, bone, bodhiseed. I feel guilty, actually, because my own bodhiseed mala with turquoise and read jaspis with Dorje and gantha counters made of copper cost me about 7 USD and that is considered high overhere. It is either in the shipping or the vendors in the west make a high price, The quality is good though because most of them I bought at Kopan Monastery here in Kathmandu. Maybe an incentive for me to start a business and sell it for normal prices. A lot of words but I do agree. The value and intention you put into your mala is of way more importance and why not dress up your mala to make it more precious to you? Things that are symbolically important to you. Stones, counters etc.
Usually left hand (or opposite of your active hand, so if you're left handed, right.) The idea is to use the hand you normally wouldn't use in mundane tasks. Also, for some practices we might have the vajra in the right hand and either mala or bell in the left, etc, but it depends on your practices. Most Buddhist teachers say it doesn't matter, left or right. To purify your mala, normally the one recommended in this guide is good. Om Ah Hum which purifies the body, speech and mind, or the Om Svabhava mantra if you know it. For mantras for practice, for blessing and guidance usually your own Yidam (your meditational deity who represents all the Buddhas), but if you don't have on then the three Bodhisattvas is a win-win-win. We have a medley of the three mantras of the Great Bodhisattvas: ruclips.net/video/B-FTw5Ue1qI/видео.html WHY? Because they require no empowerments, and are called the three great Bodhisattvas because they are represent the three most important things in you Buddhist life and practice: COMPASSION which is Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) Om Mani Padme Hum WISDOM which is Manjushri Bodhisattva Om Ah Ra Pa Cha Nha Dhi POWER AND ACTIVITY: which is Vajrapani, Bodhisattva of Power. With these three things, your blessings and practice is complete. Of course, if you feel drawn to another Buddha or Bodhisattva, then, naturally learn all you can about them. That's just my opinion, but you can't go wrong with Compassion, Wisdom and Power. In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏❤❤
Buddha Weekly Sir...Please explain this to me and give me an answer. Is it necessary to use mala while chanting mantra? Can it be said even without mala?🌼please reply to me....
Dear Dharma Friend, Yes, you can certainly chant without malas. Mantras are sacred sounds that bless our Dharma Speech. The mala is a support for that, but not needed, of course. I chant mantras while driving, working, walking. The Mala is not a requirement, although it's a support for your practice, concentration and blessings. You can make your own mala out of seeds, wood or string if you'd like to have the counting support. As someone else pointed out in the comments, you can count with your fingers. Some people who count use paper. The important thing is to practice, including chanting of mantras. Hope that helps. In kindness, 🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏
Magnetizing (so-called red practices and Yidams) is sometimes called "Power" (i.e. power over something), but it refers very much to "drawing to you" auspiciousness, the Dharma, what you need to fulfill a Dharma-fillled life. For instance, Kurukulla or Red magnetizing activity is a practice teachers use to attract suitable Dharma students. This is how Kurukulla became conflated as the "love goddess" i.e. the idea of "attracting someone." Magnetizing powers are about attracting, and power (the power of attraction and influence) but as this is a Dharma practice only for suitable Dharma goals. It's not about drawing in power and riches for the purposes of mundane greed, etc. Expansive (gold or yellow symbolism) are about growing and nurturing. It's parallel to magnetizing, in the sense that you're growing auspicious circumstances, in this case such as wealth, crops etc...(but it's not about "power over" something, but rather "nurturing something") for the purpose of Dharma again. The wealth is for appropriate goals, not greed. Pacifying of Peaceful (white) is about pacifying obstacles (your anger, your demons, your enemies, your illness, etc) Wrathful (black or blue) is about using righteous wrath or the energy of wrath for Dharma purposes. For example, when a mother is protecting her child, anger gives her the strength to defend. So, if we think of Mother Tara, in her angry, protective aspect this is Black or Blue Tara. It's probably helpful to see our video with the guidance of the great Longchenpa, where we cover this "Supplicating Activity Mantras and 21 Taras Mantras: as Taught by Longchenpa and Padmasambhava": ruclips.net/video/GSTZHJ_hjZY/видео.html&t Hope that helps. In kindness,
I use my Bodhi seed for everything, but the teachings do suggest either Bodhi seed or, as taught by Guru Rinpoche a red coral mala (if you'd like a specialized mala for magnetizing activities. (I've also seen red amber and other red beads suggested for the symbolism.). Can't go wrong with Bodhi seed though. Hope that helps. In kindness, BW.
can anyone tell me can the mantra “Om ruchira mani pravartaya hum” be chant by the owner to consecrate a new mala ? Or the new mala has to be consecrated by a teacher through a ritual? What if I don’t have a teacher
Certainly. If you're using it as your support for mantra (your Dharma Support), you'll just have to count three rounds to make 108 (i.e. if you're counting or accumulating merit through a counting accumulation.) 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Bone and skull bead malas are usually coached directly by the teacher. They weren't specifically mentioned in this teaching from Guru Rinpoche, so they are not part of this video. Basically, they represent impermanence and are sometimes used in wrathful practices, but there's another whole teaching on that not covered here. Usually, bone is yak bone or another animal whose bones would be wasted if not used and the skull carvings are strictly symbolic or decorative. They are not suitable for all practices or every student (for example, peaceful aspects of Chenrezig Avalokiteshvara, where the retreats are vegetarian, for example), which is why they are normally with guidance of a teacher, and not really suitable as a broader video topic. In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏
@@BuddhaWeekly I'm assuming you are saying it is okay. Thank you for replying. I'm new to your site and am really loving your information. Thank you again from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
Sorry, yes, that's what we meant ❤ Many of us have multiple malas. Of course treating the mala with respect, even when you're not using is important, so we normally are advised to store respectfully on the practice table or shrine when not used, elevated as it is a Dharma object as it represents Dharma speech. There's always one mala, though, as Guru Rinpoche instructed, that "follows you like a shadow." Normally your heart mala is associated with your root guru or with your heart Yidam, but it doesn't have to be. It could be your first mala, or the mala blessed by your teacher, or the mala you used on your main retreat. In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
0:35 greetings! If I’m not mistaken one shouldn’t count the beads with their index finger as it symbolizes the ego and the picture that appears on this second does that. Can someone explain if it is actually ok to do it with your index finger?
Thank you for the question! It's a good one. This is not generally a prohibition in Buddhism although some adopted the tradition from Vedic traditions. In some traditions it is associated with the ego, which, of course, is the source of poisons in Buddhism, but as practice advice it would be fair to say it's not the best, but not that it's a fault or prohibition. (Unless your specific lineage teacher says it is -- remember, some practices have unique rules.) As we demonstrated later in the video during the how to, the index finger is not used to pull malas (it may be used to drape the beads, however), but the thumb is used -- but this is Vajrayana Buddhist tradition from Padmasambhava's glorious teachings. This isn't a prohibition against other fingers, but rather guidance on how to practice if you want to do it according to lineage. (Some Yidam transmissions have different instructions specific to their practices, too) In Zen, Chan, Mahayana more broadly, you'll often see monks using malas and counting with their index. Often people with arthritis or injuries will have health difficulties with certain fingers, so they do whatever is comfortable. Of course left handed people use their right hands as a passive hand, etc. As a rule, in Buddhism generally, any finger is fine. In Tibetan Buddhism you often do see right handed mala use as well, while in most it's only the left. But none of these are faults, but rather just guidance from your teacher for your particular lineage and also Yidam. For example, some wrathful practices instruct different fingers and hands and gestures. Hope that helps. In kindness, BW
Thanks for the comment. This was a teaching from Guru Rinpoche. It wasn't mentioned in this particular teaching. Bone, if ethically sourced without suffering, is a specialized material that represents impermanence. It's normally associated with particular practices, depending on teachers and lineages. 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Neither are the other materials, such as lapis pearls rubies steel thinks to the new age market right now, and the crystal folks many of the materials that you would make Amala out of our very expensive everything from the Brazilian wax twine to the various different styles of seeds, whether it be Bodi Rasha even lotus seed
It's a provocative question and very Zen. As the Zen saying goes, "if you see the Buddha, kill him." Does that mean we actually kill Buddha? Think of mala and other Dharma practices as supports until we no longer need them. It's like wearing a life vest until we are able to swim. Or to use Buddha's own analogy, He, Himself referred to his own teachings as a raft and remarked that no one would carry the raft around after crossing over. In Buddhism we say "Depend on the Dharma" and the Three Refuges (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) and most especially Dharma. However, until we've crossed that river or ocean, we still the need the raft -- we still depend on the Dharma. What is the "dividing line" between Attachment to Dharma and Dependence on Dharma? So, to carry on with the analogy, we build a raft -- our practice, malas, sutra readings, teachings, learning from out teachers, mantras, offerings for merit -- and then we ride the raft (through our lifetime). When we finally reach the "other shore" then the raft can be pushed out to sea -- or, we'll find it never really existed as we thought it did. In other words, Mala, mantra, Sutra teachings are all our practice supports, as are our teachers, our conduct in this lifetime. Until we reach the "other shore" which is Nirvana or Enlightenment, we still need practice support, not least of which are our conduct (ethics, the eightfold path). Are we attached to the Buddha's teaching on the eightfold path ( right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi)? In the short term, perhaps, because we need to learn right conduct, but once we attain the goal, we no longer need any supports. In kindness, BW🙏🙏🙏
Hello Mick, i have been taught that reciting with a mala, the mala grows in energy/consciousness and helps to raise the vibration consciousness and protects us against negative energies both within and without. Wearing it helps us to stay connected to that consciousness.
I don't agree with many points here. I give away often for anybody if someone would like to touch or keep in one's hand. The blessing of the mantras is stored inside and it is a great opportunity to spread this blessing, plant seeds in one's mind. Just as my prayerwheel... i let to turn even by muslims or by children (they are curious what is that "toy") and when they do i imagine that once in a future life we'll be dharma brothers. Non a diety can be get dirty, they are pure in nature. And if our mala is the diety itself, it is the same. Sometimes i put on the head of a dog or cat or even a cow.
That's fine, what works for you works for you, and it's generous of you to spread blessings. However, just so you know, this is quoted from Buddha Padmasambhava. These are direct quotes from Guru Rinpoche, not our own points. I tend to do similarly, in terms of my "public" mala, but many of us, who do retreat or counting retreats, or are in the mode of accumulation, will keep a separate mala to keep the sacred words of Guru Padmasambhava. It's not a matter of agree or disagree -- just what works for you. In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
I live deep in the mountains where most are Christians, but I am a practicing Buddhist. Thank you for these videos, they're lifesaving for someone who cannot get to a temple like I.
That's wonderful, glad it's reaching you and helpful. May all beings benefit. In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
You got this! Never mind anyone else. It's all about your intent. 🎉
In order to bless the mala and increase the power of the recitation my guru told me that, as explained by Buddha in the sutra teachings, there are mantras to be recited. For instance, if you recite OM SAMBHARA SAMBHARA BIMANA SARA MAHA JAVA HUM/ OM SMARA SMARA BIMANA SKARA MAHA JAVA HUM seven times, it increases any merit you collect during the rest of the day 100,000 times.
There is also the mantra to bless the rosary: OM RUCHIRA MANI PRAVARTAYA HUM. If you recite this mantra seven times and blow on your rosary, it increases any mantras of buddha you recite by counting with the rosary many trillions of times.
May every sentient beings be blessed by these powerful recitations 🙏❤️✨
Yes, these are "blessing the speech" mantras. They're relevent to mantra chanting, generally. By blessing speech before chanting the mantras, then blowing on the mala, merit can be increased if you have faith. In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏
🙏🏿recite 7 times or 7 malas ?
Seven times🙏🙏🙏
@@BuddhaWeekly 🙏🏿thank-you
@@BuddhaWeeklyhi can I check can the mantra “Om ruchira mani pravartaya hum” be chant by the owner to consecrate a new mala ? Or the new mala has to be consecrated by a teacher through a ritual?
You are providing us such important info, the right way to use of Mala according to Guru Rinpoche. Heartfelt Gratitude. 🙏☸️📿
Namo Guru Rinpoche 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💐💐💐💐💐💐💐☸️🪷❤️💎
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Thank you ❤
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What about bone males? I use my skull/bone mala for practicing the Great Black Six Armed One and my bodhiseed mala for practicing Chenresig etc. Thank you for uploading. I learned a lot. I did not know about the way to count in the sense of the finger you uses for a specific deity. Very awesome that you gave this information. You are like the Dharma delivery Company. You bring it to me and for that I am very grateful. Your channel has brought me more than you can imagine. You have won a supporter for sure. Have a blessed day, happiness and joy and everything auspicious on your side...thank you🙏
Thank you for your very kind words. Yes, we should have mentioned bone (normally yak) malas often carved as skulls. Normally these are made from Yak or similar bones that would otherwise be wasted. These are important symbols of impermanence, and are very often used for more wrathful practices -- in the same way as a kapala -- however generally we don't mention them as much because they can be easily misunderstood and may not be appropriate for peaceful deities aspects such as Avalokiteshvara or Tara and for students who are not comfortable.
Some teachers never recommend them at broader teachings (only at specific teachings) due to misunderstandings (not because they're not recommended), and normally if students are using bone malas it will be blessed by the teacher and that student will have appropriate teachings and understand the symbolic symbolism (impermanence, etc.).
The symbolism of malas is important. For instance, since we use malas for our mandala offerings (or many of us do), it is best to have a mala we find precious materials (that can include any material we ourselves find precious) because we are symbolically offering our mala to the Three Jewels every time we do mandala or even when we chant mantras (especially if we dedicate the merit.) This is why Bodhi Seed is the most recommended -- because the symbolism is incredibly clear. It serves all purposes and is the only material, of all the potential materials you could use in a mala, that is unquestionably associated with Buddha. Thanks again for kind words! 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Ah, alright of course people would not understand. It is quite powerful to use though and has, as you said, great symbolism in the context of impermanence and death. Thank you for your kind answer.@@BuddhaWeekly
Thanks for this video I am Mahayana buddhist🙏☸️
You're most welcome! 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Good day sir.🙏🙏🙏so much.
This is the first time that I am getting to know about malas.
This is interesting 🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹🌺🌻
Good day! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
🙏🙏🙏sir🌷🌷💗🌼🪷
謝謝！
感謝您的慷慨 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏❤🙏❤🙏❤
Thanks!
Thank you for your generosity! 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏❤🙏❤🙏❤🙏❤🙏❤🙏
Myself as a Germanic Heathen, being a Dharmic faith itself and with the word "bead" being so intrinsically connected to prayer as in "bid", I have begun assorting a practice that I can construct and this video has helped me a lot. Thank you much, and may Father bless you 🙏
Glad it was helpful 🙏🙏🙏
I am trying to know more about vajrayana buddhism. Please do such presentation more whenever possible 🙏
Thank you. Yes, we certainly will. We do have quite a few on the channel now @buddhaweekly . You might be interested in these titles:
Vajra and Bell video: ruclips.net/video/pdkNU1SSrF8/видео.html
Vajrayana Visualization video: ruclips.net/video/CKoaxsZz9pk/видео.html
9 Benefits of Buddhist Mantras: ruclips.net/video/BP88u6MRO8Y/видео.html&t
And many others. Hope that helps. In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
@@BuddhaWeekly Thanks a lot 🙏
I would recommend you a documentary "the lotus born master "
I recommand you to watch the story, of the founder of Vajrayana Buddhism ( Guru Padmasambhava) on youtube, from Shambhala Studio.
1. Searching for the Lotus-Born Master.
2. Return of the Lotus-Born Master.
The Turquoise beads choses me. And it is right about my concern. Thank you for this video.
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Thank you! Great information
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A very Knowledgeable content about Mala's
Highly appreciated
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Keep going on
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I asked you many times about A documentry on Machig Labdron
🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏 We have both a written feature and video coming. It's taking us awhile to get through all the many projects, but we definitely have it top of mind. 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Thank 🙏🏼 You
Very nice video, thank you for the information
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One addition to wearing the mala, never wear the Guru bead on your neck, it is the same as stepping over it or crossing it when counting. Peace!
Yes, the guru bead should be more in the area of your heart chakra if you're wearing it. Intentionality and mindfulness is important. 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Maybe a bit of an unrelated question, but if we do any of these disrespectful things, like stepping over dharma objects, does that guarantee rebirth in the lower realms??
No, not at all. Nothing is ever "guaranteed" first of all. Karma also doesn't necessarily ripen immediately, or ever, and it can be reversed as well.
But, more important in this question is intention. Karma is a matter of intention and action. If you deliberately did the disrespectful thing (i.e. negative intention plus negative action), it's very bad, of course, but negative action without negative intention doesn't ripen into negative karma on the "cosmic scoreboard." (Cosmic scoreboard is just a way of thinking of it as a "balance.")
The fact that you ask, is a good action, positive karma. (A tick on the positive side of the Cosmic Scoreboard to use my silly metaphor.)
Lower realms is a state of mind, to a large extent, and we can live in these realms right now, in this very life we're in now. If you create a negative actions (which just means you've harmed another in some way), the karma is ripening, but if you regret and refrain, you prevent it from ripening. (In other words, you're definitely NOT guaranteed to go to lower realms, etc.) On the other hand, if you have the intention to do negative things, and then do it, and you don't regret -- well you're already living in that negative realm right now.
There's "lower realms" right here in this life. If we, in our lives, are never satisfied, that means we're already living in the "hungry ghost realm." If we have excessive anger or hate, we are already living the "asura" or demigod realm -- always going to war with people.
If you want to think in terms of the formal cycle of rebirth, then karma still makes sense in the context of intention. Traditionally, karma ripens with intention. Karma can also be "reversed" through the power of the four Rs: or the Four Opponent Powers: Dependence, Regret, Remedy, and Restraint which we practice, for example, with Vajrasattva practice. (Which is why it's so powerful and indispensable to most of us.)
So, first of all, regret and refrain. If you didn't intend and you regretted instantly, there really is no negative karma. Dos and Don'ts are to help us, not condemn us. In fact, karma is a very empowering thing. 🙏🙏🙏
I feel that it would not come to such extremes. You'd have to do more atrocious things than that. Besides that, you are here asking these questions so I think you're safe, my friend. ☺ I feel that it has more to do with a sense of humility and respect for the dharma and your teacher and most of all awareness of your own actions. Otherwise it would just be a thing with which you do something. If you treat your mala this way, you'll surely be more attentive singing your mantras and giving them more power with this humble attention and intention. But that's just me. Have a blessed day my dear dharma friend.@@officialpaimon3176
@@BuddhaWeekly this is a very enlightening and empowering explanation, thank you!!!
Merci infiniment pour cette vidéo si instructive. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Très bienvenu 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you so much
You're most welcome 🙏🙏🙏
I've gotten good at using my fingers as a mala....hahah not like Angulimala though! There are 14 segments of your fingers. I count them 8 times and that fulfills 111+ mantras. My mala is my hands!
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this is a very smart idea! thank you for sharing
mala easier!
That's called kar mala that has some rules. I've read it in mund mala tantra .
Thank you! this is so helpful!
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@@BuddhaWeekly I have a question: if a mala has like, less beads, like 107 or more, like 109, does that create negative karma? is it harmful to the practitioner? causes obstacles and such??
Thank you for the question. It's not a fault or obstacle. 108 is symbolic and the positive symbolism is auspicious, but there's no negative side to 107, 101, etc.. The general rule is it must be more than 100 (unless you want to keep track of quarter malas, etc, where you go four time around). , and each round of a mala counts as 100 (even though you did 108). This is because we almost always make pronunciation or practice mistakes, so the 8 covers our mistakes. In other words, as long as you can keep track of your 100s.
So if you're counting in a retreat, (or just daily practice), you accumulate 100 for each round, not 108, so ten rounds is 1000 (and if you're using a counter, you pull one down at 10 rounds or 1000.) We'll cover some advanced topics in a future video, but there's no negative aspect to the number of beads. There is an auspicious aspect, but not a negative one. Hope that helps. 🙏🙏🙏❤❤🙏🙏🙏
@@BuddhaWeekly I see!!! Thank You!!! ❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
@@BuddhaWeekly 🙏🙏🙏 Thank You!!! ❤❤❤
Buddhist mala will be bought ... I want to buy
Thanks!!!👍❤️
You're welcome 😊 🙏🙏🙏
Goodnight pray pray pray thank you 🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤
Good night! 🙏🙏🙏
Thank You. ❤
🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏 Most welcome! ❤🙏❤🙏
감사합니다.
여러분의 관대함에 감사드립니다! 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🙏🙏❤❤🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🙏🙏Om mani padmane hum 🙏❤❤❤❤❤❤heartiest thanks ☆Buddha Weekly ☆❤❤❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
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❤ thank you for your explanation and teaching.
Well done. Thank you. 😊
New sub.
Awesome, thank you! In kindness, 🙏🙏🙏
Very interesting, thank you.
Always welcome 🙏🙏🙏
@@BuddhaWeekly Do you have any advice on how audibly mantras could or should be chanted? Is it best for them to be spoken aloud, whispered or silent (mentally)?
The very best advice on mantras came from Guru Rinpoche, usually when teaching Lady Yeshe. (I'll add some links below). In a nutshell, it depends on the mantra and where you are. If it's a praise mantra or a name mantra, such as Om Avalokiteshvaraya Bodhisattvaya or any Namo mantra with joy and enthusiasm, musically is good -- the idea is to praise with joy. So, for example, if your intention is praise and joy and prostration, then manifest it in that way with joyful chanting.
For mantras where the sound benefit is also explicity (such as Om Ah Hum mantra) -- where the vibratory sound is part of the practice, it should be aloud. In the feature I linked below "Practicing Mantras" the way you can benefit from the sound vibration if you're in a public place is "If you do not wish to disturb anyone that may be around you, you can whisper the sounds subvocally." (Just loud enough for vibratory benefit.)
For most mantras, even supplicating mantras (where an activity is requested) they can also be aloud and can also be musical or joyous if they are not a restricted practice (that is, a mantra that should not be heard by someone who has not received the teaching that enables comprehension.)
Some mantras are explicitly stated as for the benefit of sentient beings. For instance, in the Sutra of Forming Hayagriva, even though he is a "wrathful form of Avalokiteshvara" it starts "If any being, even an insect, hears this mantra, they will never again be born to the lower realms." etc. So, clearly, the instruction from lineage is out loud and for others to hear and benefit.
(By the way, we have a feature on "Practicing Mantras" on our magazine webiste: buddhaweekly.com/157/ )
Others are not explicit, or a teacher transmitted it as a secret mantra. If so, you chant these at a volume that people cannot hear around you. If you're alone, you can be louder, if you're in a public area, under your breath. Although you can mentally recite as well, if you have concentration, softly or "above a whisper, below normal speech" for private mantras.
The other times you're quieter is when you do mantra retreats in groups. This is where you are accumulating mantras in a retreat format. Chanting too loudly is disturbing, especially if you're "mispronouncing" -- it influences others around you. But that's "formal practice" in a group.
Very few mantras, in practice, are secret however, except various wrathful practices. The main requirement is usually just Bodhichitta intention -- the intention to become Enlightened to benefit others.
More important than volume is normally -- concentration, pronunciation (although even this doesn't matter if you have faith), faith, and Bodhichitta intention.
Verbal recitation blesses the speech. Mental (non verbal visualization or "thinking" the mantra) blesses the mind. Written forms "bless the body." This is advice from Guru Rinpoche:
"Mantra is the word of truth; if what you wish for does not happen as I have promised, I, Padma, have deceived sentient beings-absurd! I have not deceived you-it will happen just as I’ve promised.
If you are unable to recite the mantra, use it to adorn the tops of victory banners and prayer flags; there is no doubt that sentient beings touched by the same wind will be liberated. Otherwise, carve it on hillsides, trees, and stones; after they are consecrated, anyone who merely passes by and sees them will be purified of illness, spirit possession, and obscurations. Spirits and demons dwelling in the area will offer wealth and riches. Write it in gold on pieces of indigo paper and hang them up; demons, obstacle-makers, and evil spirits will be unable to harm you. If you place the mantra upon a corpse immediately upon death and do not remove it, during cremation rainbow colors will flash out and the consciousness will definitely be transferred to the Blissful Realm of Amitābha. The benefits of writing, reading and reciting the Vajra Guru mantra are immeasurable. For the benefit of sentient beings in the future, write tåhis down and conceal it. May it meet with those of fortune and merit. Samaya Gya Gya Gya”
This refered to the Vajra Guru Mantra, but many of the teachings there apply more broadly. From: buddhaweekly.com/vajra-guru-mantra/
Hope this helps. We have a very extensive library of features on practicing mantras on our website: buddhaweekly.com/mantra/
@@BuddhaWeekly Wow, what an amazing comprehensive reply, thank you. I've been practicing mantra recitation for some years now, and, to be honest, my recitations are almost always mental. From the beginning I have used malas, and really enjoyed your video, finding that much of your advice resonated with my own experience. Because I often used time travelling to and from work and elsewhere to recite mantra, I became habituated eventually to invariably reciting silently, since I travel on public transport and dislike drawing attention to my practice. Thanks to your feedback I am inspired to explore other possibilities. I am so glad that my silent, mental recitations have not gone to waste. I am aware that focus and concentration very much affects the effectiveness of recitation, but I did not know that pronunciation was also important. Thank you once again.
Re. wearing malas around the neck: in the Japanese tradition, there is some variance in opinion regarding this across different schools. So for instance in Zen, high-ranking monks often wear a mala around their neck following Chinese custom, but in Shingon Buddhism (what I follow) it is heavily discouraged. (I'm not entirely sure the reason as to why, but some claim it was because in the past, people who were about to be executed or wayward monks who were expelled from temples were made to wear malas around their necks.) A few other schools meanwhile use malas that you can't wear around your neck in the first place. (Tendai Buddhists use one with flat beads for instance, which makes for a much shorter mala.)
Very interesting, thanks for sharing. 🙏🙏🙏
@@BuddhaWeekly I also have a question: do Tibetan Buddhists rub their malas?
Rubbing malas (usually to produce a loud jangling sound) is a pretty common - although not universally accepted - custom here.
Interesting question. It's not specifically mentioned in formal teachings from Padmasambhava or other teachings that I've read or received, but the custom arises (I believe) in the same tradition as blowing on the mala. After your teacher blesses your mala, or you finish your own session of mantras, it's common to "roll it between two hands" then coil in your cupped hands and blow on it, then touch the top of the head. All of these are blessing/consecrating activities.
Very often when my mala has been blessed at teachings, my teachers (several do this) roll it (it can make a sound) blow on it, then when they pass it to me I touch the top of my head respectfully. I haven't heard any significance to the loud jangling sound, but that's understandable when your roll beads. Maybe others have come across teachings specifically relating to the sound, not sure, let us know.
Another use of malas is in formal Tibetan debate. It's a very beautiful practice. There's a lot of gesturing with malas. Then, of course there's the offering of mandalas with your malas.
In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏
@BuddhaWeekly Interesting! Thank you very much for answering. 🙏
On the Japanese side, rubbing the mala with both hands to produce a rolling / swishing sound (the onomatopeia for this is "jara-jara") is usually done at the beginning and end of a practice or ceremony. Some teachers interpret this as a form of blessing or exorcism: you purify yourself and your surroundings with the sound of the beads.
In some situations (usually in public ceremonies), rubbing the mala may also function as a stand-in or shortcut for reciting a certain number of mantras. For instance, the practice might stipulate that a given mantra be repeated say, 1080 times, but in actual practice the preceptor monk might actually only do 108 repetitions of the mantra and then rub his mala.
It is a prevalent custom but opinions on it vary. Some traditions actively encourage the practice (in fact, this is partly why Tendai and Shugendo - a mix of Buddhism and native mountain worship / ascetism - malas have flat or abacus-like beads: they make a more pronounced swishing sound) and do it with gusto, but other teachers - from my experience, it is often Shingon monks - consider making a loud sound with your mala uncouth or disrespectful (from a practical standpoint, constantly rubbing your mala vigorously increases the risk of breaking it); as a concession, some of them would advise that malas only be rubbed lightly and carefully for as few as three times.
Saludos desde Chile Elizabeth
A mi se me rompió mi mala hace poco eso es malo?
No te preocupes, sólo restringe y vuelve a bendecir. Como decimos al final del video, las enseñanzas dicen simplemente restringe y rebendice. No está nada mal en ningún sentido. Don't worry, just restring and rebless. As we say at the end of the video, the teachings say just restring and rebless. It's not bad in any way. In kindness, BW🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Boddhi seed mala nowadays is not cheap
Very true. Real Bodhi Seed in small size especially can be expensive. The symbolism is more important. As long as we've invested in practicing with the mala -- using it in our practice, having it blessed by our teacher, or chanting mantras on it daily -- then it becomes priceless even if it's made from the most inexpensive material. The true value is the symbolism of Dharma and our practice. 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
@@BuddhaWeekly Regretfullythat depends om where you buy it. In the west we sometimes pay a lot. Right now I am in Nepal (departing on Saturday for Holland after 4 months) I have bought malls for family and friends. Genuine material because my Newari friend nows people so the won't cheat me. Seashell, bone, bodhiseed. I feel guilty, actually, because my own bodhiseed mala with turquoise and read jaspis with Dorje and gantha counters made of copper cost me about 7 USD and that is considered high overhere. It is either in the shipping or the vendors in the west make a high price, The quality is good though because most of them I bought at Kopan Monastery here in Kathmandu. Maybe an incentive for me to start a business and sell it for normal prices. A lot of words but I do agree. The value and intention you put into your mala is of way more importance and why not dress up your mala to make it more precious to you? Things that are symbolically important to you. Stones, counters etc.
Hi what mantra can I use for blessing and guidance in every aspect of own life and which hand is more properate to hold the mala
Usually left hand (or opposite of your active hand, so if you're left handed, right.) The idea is to use the hand you normally wouldn't use in mundane tasks. Also, for some practices we might have the vajra in the right hand and either mala or bell in the left, etc, but it depends on your practices. Most Buddhist teachers say it doesn't matter, left or right. To purify your mala, normally the one recommended in this guide is good. Om Ah Hum which purifies the body, speech and mind, or the Om Svabhava mantra if you know it.
For mantras for practice, for blessing and guidance usually your own Yidam (your meditational deity who represents all the Buddhas), but if you don't have on then the three Bodhisattvas is a win-win-win. We have a medley of the three mantras of the Great Bodhisattvas: ruclips.net/video/B-FTw5Ue1qI/видео.html
WHY? Because they require no empowerments, and are called the three great Bodhisattvas because they are represent the three most important things in you Buddhist life and practice:
COMPASSION which is Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) Om Mani Padme Hum
WISDOM which is Manjushri Bodhisattva Om Ah Ra Pa Cha Nha Dhi
POWER AND ACTIVITY: which is Vajrapani, Bodhisattva of Power.
With these three things, your blessings and practice is complete.
Of course, if you feel drawn to another Buddha or Bodhisattva, then, naturally learn all you can about them.
That's just my opinion, but you can't go wrong with Compassion, Wisdom and Power. In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏❤❤
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💐💐💐❤❤❤
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Buddha Weekly Sir...Please explain this to me and give me an answer. Is it necessary to use mala while chanting mantra? Can it be said even without mala?🌼please reply to me....
Dear Dharma Friend, Yes, you can certainly chant without malas. Mantras are sacred sounds that bless our Dharma Speech. The mala is a support for that, but not needed, of course. I chant mantras while driving, working, walking.
The Mala is not a requirement, although it's a support for your practice, concentration and blessings. You can make your own mala out of seeds, wood or string if you'd like to have the counting support.
As someone else pointed out in the comments, you can count with your fingers. Some people who count use paper. The important thing is to practice, including chanting of mantras. Hope that helps. In kindness, 🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thankyou sir....😙
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Magnetising is what kinda activity ? Wrathful , expensive, powerful, dharmic?
Magnetizing (so-called red practices and Yidams) is sometimes called "Power" (i.e. power over something), but it refers very much to "drawing to you" auspiciousness, the Dharma, what you need to fulfill a Dharma-fillled life. For instance, Kurukulla or Red magnetizing activity is a practice teachers use to attract suitable Dharma students. This is how Kurukulla became conflated as the "love goddess" i.e. the idea of "attracting someone." Magnetizing powers are about attracting, and power (the power of attraction and influence) but as this is a Dharma practice only for suitable Dharma goals. It's not about drawing in power and riches for the purposes of mundane greed, etc.
Expansive (gold or yellow symbolism) are about growing and nurturing. It's parallel to magnetizing, in the sense that you're growing auspicious circumstances, in this case such as wealth, crops etc...(but it's not about "power over" something, but rather "nurturing something") for the purpose of Dharma again. The wealth is for appropriate goals, not greed.
Pacifying of Peaceful (white) is about pacifying obstacles (your anger, your demons, your enemies, your illness, etc)
Wrathful (black or blue) is about using righteous wrath or the energy of wrath for Dharma purposes. For example, when a mother is protecting her child, anger gives her the strength to defend. So, if we think of Mother Tara, in her angry, protective aspect this is Black or Blue Tara.
It's probably helpful to see our video with the guidance of the great Longchenpa, where we cover this "Supplicating Activity Mantras and 21 Taras Mantras: as Taught by Longchenpa and Padmasambhava": ruclips.net/video/GSTZHJ_hjZY/видео.html&t
Hope that helps. In kindness,
@@BuddhaWeekly thnx alot
@@BuddhaWeekly can u tell me one should use which mala for kurukulla sadhna?
I use my Bodhi seed for everything, but the teachings do suggest either Bodhi seed or, as taught by Guru Rinpoche a red coral mala (if you'd like a specialized mala for magnetizing activities. (I've also seen red amber and other red beads suggested for the symbolism.). Can't go wrong with Bodhi seed though. Hope that helps. In kindness, BW.
can anyone tell me can the mantra “Om ruchira mani pravartaya hum” be chant by the owner to consecrate a new mala ? Or the new mala has to be consecrated by a teacher through a ritual? What if I don’t have a teacher
Yes, you can bless your own mala. Having your teacher bless it is of course beneficial once you have a teacher, but don't wait. In kindness, BW
As the Kadampa masters would have said, "It would be better if you practice Dharma"
🙏🙏🙏👍👌.
🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Buddha Lumbini kapilvastu🇳🇵☸️🕉️
❤❤❤ 108
Hi, is it possible to use 36 Mala beads?
Certainly. If you're using it as your support for mantra (your Dharma Support), you'll just have to count three rounds to make 108 (i.e. if you're counting or accumulating merit through a counting accumulation.) 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
@@BuddhaWeekly thank you so much.
Greetings! What about skull bead mala?
Bone and skull bead malas are usually coached directly by the teacher. They weren't specifically mentioned in this teaching from Guru Rinpoche, so they are not part of this video. Basically, they represent impermanence and are sometimes used in wrathful practices, but there's another whole teaching on that not covered here. Usually, bone is yak bone or another animal whose bones would be wasted if not used and the skull carvings are strictly symbolic or decorative. They are not suitable for all practices or every student (for example, peaceful aspects of Chenrezig Avalokiteshvara, where the retreats are vegetarian, for example), which is why they are normally with guidance of a teacher, and not really suitable as a broader video topic. In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you so much for your kind answer, you gained a follower @@BuddhaWeekly
Thank you 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Is it OK to have more than one mala??
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@@BuddhaWeekly I'm assuming you are saying it is okay. Thank you for replying. I'm new to your site and am really loving your information. Thank you again from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
Sorry, yes, that's what we meant ❤ Many of us have multiple malas. Of course treating the mala with respect, even when you're not using is important, so we normally are advised to store respectfully on the practice table or shrine when not used, elevated as it is a Dharma object as it represents Dharma speech. There's always one mala, though, as Guru Rinpoche instructed, that "follows you like a shadow." Normally your heart mala is associated with your root guru or with your heart Yidam, but it doesn't have to be. It could be your first mala, or the mala blessed by your teacher, or the mala you used on your main retreat. In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
@@BuddhaWeekly Thank you so very much
🙏🙏🙏🇳🇵🕉️☸️
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BUDDHIST MALA SADDO SADDO SADDO 💅🙏🙏🙏
0:35 greetings! If I’m not mistaken one shouldn’t count the beads with their index finger as it symbolizes the ego and the picture that appears on this second does that. Can someone explain if it is actually ok to do it with your index finger?
Thank you for the question! It's a good one. This is not generally a prohibition in Buddhism although some adopted the tradition from Vedic traditions. In some traditions it is associated with the ego, which, of course, is the source of poisons in Buddhism, but as practice advice it would be fair to say it's not the best, but not that it's a fault or prohibition. (Unless your specific lineage teacher says it is -- remember, some practices have unique rules.)
As we demonstrated later in the video during the how to, the index finger is not used to pull malas (it may be used to drape the beads, however), but the thumb is used -- but this is Vajrayana Buddhist tradition from Padmasambhava's glorious teachings. This isn't a prohibition against other fingers, but rather guidance on how to practice if you want to do it according to lineage. (Some Yidam transmissions have different instructions specific to their practices, too)
In Zen, Chan, Mahayana more broadly, you'll often see monks using malas and counting with their index.
Often people with arthritis or injuries will have health difficulties with certain fingers, so they do whatever is comfortable. Of course left handed people use their right hands as a passive hand, etc. As a rule, in Buddhism generally, any finger is fine. In Tibetan Buddhism you often do see right handed mala use as well, while in most it's only the left. But none of these are faults, but rather just guidance from your teacher for your particular lineage and also Yidam. For example, some wrathful practices instruct different fingers and hands and gestures.
Hope that helps. In kindness, BW
My Mala 📿 is made from bone, but it wasn’t mentioned in the list of malas 🤔
Thanks for the comment. This was a teaching from Guru Rinpoche. It wasn't mentioned in this particular teaching. Bone, if ethically sourced without suffering, is a specialized material that represents impermanence. It's normally associated with particular practices, depending on teachers and lineages. 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Thank you very much for your reply and the useful information you impart 🙏📿
Our pleasure! 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Neither are the other materials, such as lapis pearls rubies steel thinks to the new age market right now, and the crystal folks many of the materials that you would make Amala out of our very expensive everything from the Brazilian wax twine to the various different styles of seeds, whether it be Bodi Rasha even lotus seed
I cant get the mantra, can someone help me?
Which mantra? In kindness, BW
Someone Taken my first Mala from Tibet, IS that normal ?
Not sure what you mean? 🙏
I thought one of the main Buddhist teaching was not to be attached to anything, so why be attached to a Mala ?
It's a provocative question and very Zen. As the Zen saying goes, "if you see the Buddha, kill him." Does that mean we actually kill Buddha? Think of mala and other Dharma practices as supports until we no longer need them. It's like wearing a life vest until we are able to swim. Or to use Buddha's own analogy, He, Himself referred to his own teachings as a raft and remarked that no one would carry the raft around after crossing over. In Buddhism we say "Depend on the Dharma" and the Three Refuges (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) and most especially Dharma.
However, until we've crossed that river or ocean, we still the need the raft -- we still depend on the Dharma.
What is the "dividing line" between Attachment to Dharma and Dependence on Dharma?
So, to carry on with the analogy, we build a raft -- our practice, malas, sutra readings, teachings, learning from out teachers, mantras, offerings for merit -- and then we ride the raft (through our lifetime). When we finally reach the "other shore" then the raft can be pushed out to sea -- or, we'll find it never really existed as we thought it did.
In other words, Mala, mantra, Sutra teachings are all our practice supports, as are our teachers, our conduct in this lifetime.
Until we reach the "other shore" which is Nirvana or Enlightenment, we still need practice support, not least of which are our conduct (ethics, the eightfold path). Are we attached to the Buddha's teaching on the eightfold path ( right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi)? In the short term, perhaps, because we need to learn right conduct, but once we attain the goal, we no longer need any supports. In kindness, BW🙏🙏🙏
Hello Mick,
i have been taught that reciting with a mala, the mala grows in energy/consciousness and helps to raise the vibration consciousness and protects us against negative energies both within and without. Wearing it helps us to stay connected to that consciousness.
I don't agree with many points here. I give away often for anybody if someone would like to touch or keep in one's hand. The blessing of the mantras is stored inside and it is a great opportunity to spread this blessing, plant seeds in one's mind. Just as my prayerwheel... i let to turn even by muslims or by children (they are curious what is that "toy") and when they do i imagine that once in a future life we'll be dharma brothers. Non a diety can be get dirty, they are pure in nature. And if our mala is the diety itself, it is the same. Sometimes i put on the head of a dog or cat or even a cow.
That's fine, what works for you works for you, and it's generous of you to spread blessings. However, just so you know, this is quoted from Buddha Padmasambhava. These are direct quotes from Guru Rinpoche, not our own points. I tend to do similarly, in terms of my "public" mala, but many of us, who do retreat or counting retreats, or are in the mode of accumulation, will keep a separate mala to keep the sacred words of Guru Padmasambhava. It's not a matter of agree or disagree -- just what works for you. In kindness, BW 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
आप जो बाते कह रहे हो हिंदी मे रहता
മലയാളം ആയാൽ നന്നാവും🙏