Can we use Bodhichitta Bodhi seed wrist mala for mantras?

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kimjihoon5924
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Can we use Bodhichitta Bodhi seed wrist mala for mantras?

Post by kimjihoon5924 »

Hello, I have recently purchased a 14 bead Bodhichitta Bodhiseed wrist mala in Nepal. In Korea 14 bead represents the 14 fearlessness of Kwaneum (Avalokitesvara or Chenrezig). Can I use my 14 bead mala for mantra recitations instead of 108? Thank you.
emaho
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Re: Can we use Bodhichitta Bodhi seed wrist mala for mantras?

Post by emaho »

Hi,

I don't know if there are rules for that, but from a practical point of view I'd find it very distracting if I had to turn around so often when I'm reaching the Buddha bead, especially when practicing a short Mantra like that of Chenrezig. :shrug:
"I struggled with some demons, They were middle class and tame..." L. Cohen
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ClearblueSky
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Re: Can we use Bodhichitta Bodhi seed wrist mala for mantras?

Post by ClearblueSky »

kimjihoon5924 wrote:Hello, I have recently purchased a 14 bead Bodhichitta Bodhiseed wrist mala in Nepal. In Korea 14 bead represents the 14 fearlessness of Kwaneum (Avalokitesvara or Chenrezig). Can I use my 14 bead mala for mantra recitations instead of 108? Thank you.
Sure. If you're trying to keep track of specific large numbers a longer mala is obviously easier, but you can use a 14 bead mala.
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Mantrik
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Re: Can we use Bodhichitta Bodhi seed wrist mala for mantras?

Post by Mantrik »

Yes. It only makes a difference if you are trying to keep count, in which case, 27, 54 and 108 is easier.
I have some malas with 18, the Lohans.
Just get stuck in and enjoy it! :)
If you find that you want to count, just restring and add some suitable beads to it.

(A 'search' of other threads about 'malas' will give you details about materials. )
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Nebetmiw
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Re: Can we use Bodhichitta Bodhi seed wrist mala for mantras?

Post by Nebetmiw »

I use one for my mantra for Kwan Yin counts. So Yes you can and it works great for doing quarter and half counts in day.
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Nyedrag Yeshe
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Re: Can we use Bodhichitta Bodhi seed wrist mala for mantras?

Post by Nyedrag Yeshe »

kimjihoon5924 wrote:Hello, I have recently purchased a 14 bead Bodhichitta Bodhiseed wrist mala in Nepal. In Korea 14 bead represents the 14 fearlessness of Kwaneum (Avalokitesvara or Chenrezig). Can I use my 14 bead mala for mantra recitations instead of 108? Thank you.
One interesting thing you might consider, is that many tibetans use small malas in order to track and count the number of prostrations! They are easier to keep in hand while prostrating!
An interesting thing, considering koreans also, like tibetans do, like very much to do many prostration practices!
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yosomolo
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Re: Can we use Bodhichitta Bodhi seed wrist mala for mantras?

Post by yosomolo »

Yes you can

Malas are just essentially counters for mantras/prostrations or any buddhist practices that involves repetition

As long as you keep track of the numbers

Feel free to use any

Hope that helps
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Nyedrag Yeshe
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Re: Can we use Bodhichitta Bodhi seed wrist mala for mantras?

Post by Nyedrag Yeshe »

yosomolo wrote:Yes you can

Malas are just essentially counters for mantras/prostrations or any buddhist practices that involves repetition

As long as you keep track of the numbers

Feel free to use any

Hope that helps
This is not so much for specific vajrayana practices that may require a specific mala for a specific practice. Malas do have a different meaning in Vajrayana, they are not just for counting.
“Whatever has to happen, let it happen!”
“Whatever the situation is, it’s fine!”
“I really don’t need anything!
~Tsangpa Gyare Yeshe Dorje (1161-1211)
ओं पद्मोष्णीष विमले हूँ फट । ओं हनुफशभरहृदय स्वाहा॥
འ༔ ཨ༔ ཧ༔ ཤ༔ ས༔ མ༔ ཀརྨ་པ་མཁྱེན་ནོ།
yosomolo
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Re: Can we use Bodhichitta Bodhi seed wrist mala for mantras?

Post by yosomolo »

Hi Ngedrag Yeshe,

That is correct. However kimjhoon did not specify whether it is for a Higher Yoga Tantra practice or a non tantric practice =)

However I think its best to ask their own Gurus

Don't you think?
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ClearblueSky
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Re: Can we use Bodhichitta Bodhi seed wrist mala for mantras?

Post by ClearblueSky »

yosomolo wrote:Hi Ngedrag Yeshe,

That is correct. However kimjhoon did not specify whether it is for a Higher Yoga Tantra practice or a non tantric practice =)

However I think its best to ask their own Gurus

Don't you think?
In this case it's irrelevant, as Bodhiseed is considered good for all practices of all types.
yosomolo
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Re: Can we use Bodhichitta Bodhi seed wrist mala for mantras?

Post by yosomolo »

Hi Clearblueksy,

Exactly

Thank you
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