The earliest clear depiction of a mala being used as a tool for recitation, rather than possibly being a necklace or decoration, comes from a bodhisattva image created during the 4th - 6th century Northern Wei dynasty in China the mala is held in the hand, rather than worn. Malas may appear in early Brahmanic Hindu art as part of the garb of deities or worshippers, but are difficult to distinguish from decorative necklaces or garlands. No mention of a mala occurs in the Agamas or Pali Nikayas, generally regarded as the oldest Buddhist literature, and it is unclear if their use originated with Buddhists or with Brahmins, Jains, or another Indian religious community. No references to malas occur in Chinese literature before the introduction of Buddhism during the Han dynasty, suggesting that the practice spread from India to China and may have originated there.
The specific origin of the mala is unknown, with the use of beads for counting being a widespread practice in ancient cultures. History Portrait of Sawai Madho Singh counting beads on a pearl and ruby mala Jaipur, c. Mala can nowadays be found which are made from synthetic materials (such as plastic or glass beads, and nylon cords whether braided string or monofilament).
Mala beads have traditionally been made of a variety of materials such as wood, stone, seeds, bone and precious metals-with various religions often favouring certain materials-and strung with natural fibres such as cotton, silk, or animal hair. A distinctive 109th "guru bead", not used for counting, is very common. The main body of a mala is usually 108 beads of roughly the same size and material as each other though smaller versions, often factors of 108 such as 54 or 27, exist. They are similar to other forms of prayer beads used in various world religions (such as misbahahs in Islam) and in Christianity the " rosary". Japamala, Made from wood of sacred basil herbs, with guru bead in foregroundĪ japamala, jaap maala, or simply mala ( Sanskrit: माला mālā, meaning ' garland' ) is a loop of prayer beads commonly used in Indian religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism for counting recitations when performing japa (reciting a mantra or other sacred sound) or for counting some other sadhana (spiritual practice) such as prostrating before a holy icon.
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