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mala care

Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 8:54 pm
by KonchokZoepa
how do you wash your mala, and do you wash your mala?

Re: mala care

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 2:47 pm
by PadmaVonSamba
never heard of such a thing.

Re: mala care

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 7:25 pm
by Seishin
I've never heard of such. I believe this is why one should take care of ones mala, not allowing it to be placed on the floor, kept in a bag when not in use etc

Gassho,
Seishin

Re: mala care

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 7:40 pm
by Simon E.
KonchokZoepa wrote:how do you wash your mala, and do you wash your mala?
Some people oil their malas with a light vegetable oil with a little aromatic essential oil in it.

Re: mala care

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 7:52 pm
by Malcolm
KonchokZoepa wrote:how do you wash your mala, and do you wash your mala?

Some people like to wash a new mala in pure water scented with pure sandalwood oil. This is actually a traditional procedure. I never bothered much with this personally. It might be nice to have a new mala blessed by some Lama, but the best blessing is your own mantra recitation.

Re: mala care

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 8:07 pm
by KonchokZoepa
geishhin well where do you keep it if not in a bag when not on use. i dont like holding it on my hand or wrist all the time.

Re: mala care

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 8:13 pm
by Malcolm
KonchokZoepa wrote:geishhin well where do you keep it if not in a bag when not on use. i dont like holding it on my hand or wrist all the time.

Usually coiled on my practice texts.

Re: mala care

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 8:15 pm
by Seishin
KonchokZoepa wrote:geishhin well where do you keep it if not in a bag when not on use. i dont like holding it on my hand or wrist all the time.
Not everyone is as careful. Keep up the good work. :smile:

Gassho,
Seishin

Re: mala care

Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 12:48 am
by Nemo
I bought this Chinese donut box years ago. I think it is my favourite for mala storage.

Image

Re: mala care

Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 1:27 am
by KathyLauren
I have never heard of washing it.

I keep mine coiled on my meditation table in front of my shrine. I used to wear one around my neck until the string broke.

Om mani padme hum
Keith

Re: mala care

Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 1:45 am
by emaho
Yes, I washed my mala a couple of times, after years of daily usage I think it's not excessive. I just wash it under luke warm water with the same soap I use to wash my hands. The beads of a lotus seed mala will swell a bit (is that the right word?), better not let it get wet if the string sits very tight.

Re: mala care

Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 8:53 am
by ClearblueSky
If it somehow got really dirty and has to be washed, I'd probably recommend putting a little rubbing alcohol on a towel and rubbing it down the beads. String may not do so great if you submerge it totally.

Re: mala care

Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:51 pm
by disjointed
How you should clean it depends on the material.

You should follow the same protocol as if you were cleaning a Buddha statue.
Which is just to treat is as a part of the Buddha's body and use care in cleaning.