Mālā from a Zen Perspective A Mālā also known as prayer beads is a string of beads that was traditionally used to count how many times a mantra is recited or how many breaths are taken during meditation. A literal translation of ‘mala’ in Sanskrit is a garland. Buddhist and Hindu mālā typically have 108 beads and a guru bead, or head/parent bead, in Zen. Zen beads have markers to indicate a change in a mantra or the number for counting. The usage of mālā beads is not taboo when they are being used as meditation tools and not simply as cute jewellery. When we use mālā beads for their intended purpose, we avoid the usage of them being appropriated or taboo. Mālā, in the Zen tradition, are to be worn inside the clothing (by lay people) and not worn as jewellery. They can also be carried in a mālā bag. If you actually asked a Zen Buddhist to throw his mālā on the ground disrespectfully, that would never happen except perhaps as a “teaching” moment. And, Zen Buddhists chant sutra and mantras. When a Chan or Zen Buddhist says their practice is “just sitting” it’s the same deliberate language choice as “mālās are just for counting.” The reality is that Zen practice is not just about sitting. Likewise, a much misunderstood “Zen/Chan” saying is “If you see the Buddha, kill him.” This symbolizes “killing our ego” not actually taking a Buddha statue and disrespecting the sacred relic. In these cases, the language chosen is a “skilful means” of teaching not meant to be a literal instruction.

Mālā from a Zen Perspective

A Mālā also known as prayer beads is a string of beads that was traditionally used to count how many times a mantra is recited or how many breaths are taken during meditation.  A literal translation of ‘mala’ in Sanskrit is a garland.

Buddhist and Hindu mālā typically have 108 beads and a guru bead, or head/parent bead, in Zen. Zen beads have markers to indicate a change in a mantra or the number for counting.

The usage of mālā beads is not taboo when they are being used as meditation tools and not simply as cute jewellery. When we use mālā beads for their intended purpose, we avoid the usage of them being appropriated or taboo.  Mālā, in the Zen tradition, are to be worn inside the clothing (by lay people) and not worn as jewellery. They can also be carried in a mālā bag.

If you actually asked a Zen Buddhist to throw his mālā on the ground disrespectfully, that would never happen except perhaps as a “teaching” moment.  And, Zen Buddhists chant sutra and mantras. 

When a Chan or Zen Buddhist says their practice is “just sitting” it’s the same deliberate language choice as “mālās are just for counting.” The reality is that Zen practice is not just about sitting.

Likewise, a much misunderstood “Zen/Chan” saying is “If you see the Buddha, kill him.” This symbolizes “killing our ego” not actually taking a Buddha statue and disrespecting the sacred relic. In these cases, the language chosen is a “skilful means” of teaching not meant to be a literal instruction.