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Buddhists/mala beads

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Expert: - 9/21/2005


Question
thank you for your time
may i ask about mala beads, what are they for ,how should they be worn/used.
do you know of a site that sales buddhist things such as mala beads.
thank you for your help
may you have happiness and the causes of happiness
tiny

Answer
Hi Tiny,

Thank you for asking me.

Mala beads are aids for people to gain concentration.  My opinion is that its effectiveness is very subjective.  If you have a wondering mind, using beads would not be of any help.  Of course, commercialism has crept in, and you will be subject to sales talk.  Mala beads are simply "prayer beads".  It is the same as the rosary.  Many religions use them as aids to concentration.  Please be careful not to associate them only to Buddhism.  Prayer paraphernalia are aids used by people in the name of religion.  The Buddha only taught truth and peace.

Just do a search in google or yahoo on "mala beads" for the information you required.


Smile from justinchoo :-)

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Justin Choo

Expertise

When in doubt seek it out. All your questions will be answered, and you may not have to agree with the answers. Such is the beauty of Buddhism. You are free to decide. I follow the Theravada tradition, and have been studying Buddhism for more than 40 years. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than 1500 questions since joining this category. You may like to give me the honor to answer your question.

Experience

I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 40 years I have read numerous books on Buddhism and listened to numerous talks on Buddhism by well-respected and learned monks and lay teachers. I conduct Buddhist classes for parents of Sunday School children in a Theravada Buddhist Temple. My teacher was the late Chief Reverend, The Ven. K Sri Dhammananda of The Brickfields Buddhist Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can view the relevent website in memory of my revered late teacher @ http://www.ksridhammananda.com

Organizations
I am a life member of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia.

Publications
YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT MY BLOG @ http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/ Published a book called "The Rainbow And The Treasure". It is a compilation of extracts from various sources to introduce Buddhism to beginners. (Currently out of print)

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Commerce And Administration, Victoria University Of Wellington, NZ.(1974)

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