Buddhism

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions A Dictionary of Buddhism Further reading

Mālā

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Mālā (also japamālā). A ‘rosary’ for Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs.

Hinduism

Basically, mālā is a garland made of beads and/or berries, presented to honoured guests, and to symbolize victory. They consist (usually) of 108 berries, and are then used in the practice of japa. 108 is the number of evil passions to which humans are subject.

Buddhism

The number of beads is the same, and they are used to count repetitions in the recitation of dhāraṇīs, mantras, and the name of a buddha (nembutsu).

Sikhism

It is usually made of wool, and has 108 knots, though smaller ones of twenty-nine knots are also used. They are used to aid concentration on the name (nām) of God.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

JOHN BOWKER. "Mālā." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Mālā." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Ml1.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Mālā." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Ml1.html

Learn more about citation styles

mālā

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | | Copyright

mālā (Skt.) A rosary, used for reciting mantras or other prayers mainly by Mahāyāna Buddhists. The beads on a mālā, normally 108, can be made of wood, hard nut kernels, bone, crystal, or other materials. Shorter, half or quarter mālās are also used by some Japanese lay Buddhists.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

DAMIEN KEOWN. "mālā." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "mālā." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-ml.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "mālā." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-ml.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Nazik al-Mala'ika's poetry and its critical reception in the West.(Modern... Magazine article from: Arab Studies Quarterly (ASQ); 9/22/1997
	Mala magic at 10,00ft!(News) Newspaper article from: Birmingham Mail (England); 8/8/2008
	Tina and my unborn twin babies should not have died; EXCLUSIVE Tina Stevenson... Newspaper article from: The Mirror (London, England); 5/8/2009