This Mala bracelet is made with high quality 6 mm wood beads and elastic jewelry cord.

Buddhist prayer beads or Malas are a traditional tool used to count the number of times a mantra is recited, breaths while meditating, counting prostrations, or the repetitions of a Buddha's name. They are similar to other forms of prayer beads used in various world religions and therefore the term "Buddhist rosary" also appears.

When reciting a mantra with a Mala meditation, you recite the entire mantra on each bead (not one bead per word). You can also use affirmations with your Mala, repeating the affirmation with each bead. The recitations can be done silently, as a whisper, in song or spoken out loud. Each time you work your way around the mala, saying a mantra for each bead, you are considered to have completed 100 mantra recitations. The extra 8 beads are “spare” to make up for any miscounts or mistakes you may make along the way.

The traditional Mala contains 108 beads. There are numerous explanations why there are 108 beads, with the number 108 bearing special religious significance in a number of Hindu and Buddhist traditions.In traditional Buddhist thought, people are said to have 108 afflictions or kleshas.This same number is also used in Japanese New Year services where a bell is rung 108 times.
Monks usually have Mala beads with 108 beads.

Significance and Meaning of the Guru bead :

What is this center bead? I am often asked. The guru bead has many positions of importance,when chanting and meditating we use malas to keep count of our recitations.

For example, when practicing a form of Tibetan Buddhism called Vajrayana the practitioner is meant to recite specific mantras 10,000 times before continuing on with other instructions and teachings...a sort of "right of passage" one could say...so they keep count and track of the recitations.

At the point of getting to the guru bead one must stop, and turn around to continue counting in the opposite direction. Why?

When one meets the guru bead he must remember the guru-disciple relationship and strive for a closer bond and union. With or without a Guru the Guru bead reflects the awareness that one must have in every aspect of life, taking a moment to reflect on the importance of your chanting and reflect on your intentions and motive for sitting in meditation. With reverence for the guru or simply your practice itself; you approach and return to counting.