If you have been practicing meditation or yoga for a long time, you probably have come across prayer beads. You can find these Buddhist beads, alternatively referred to as Tibetan prayer beads, in sculptures or paintings of Buddha where he is seen holding these beads. Although it is quite a common sight, few actually know about Tibetan prayer beads. This article elucidates on some important points related to prayer beads.

Prayer beads have been used across the globe for thousands of years. They play a vital role in various cultures and countries for meditation purposes. Some records claim that beads were first noticed in Nepal and India. They have been used across different religions, such as Catholicism and Hinduism, among others.

Advantages of prayer beads
Prayer beads can help you with various aspects of meditation, a practice that provides numerous health benefits. Meditation can contribute to lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, and reducing stress levels. However, many people face difficulties while meditating, particularly at the start. This is when prayer beads prove to be useful, as they keep you focused while meditating. The constant movement of your fingers around the beads helps in grounding you. When you touch each bead, you say a chant so you can keep a count of the number of times you have repeated the chant.

Composition of prayer beads
Traditionally, they consist of 108 beads along with a guru bead, which has a tassel and is bigger than all the other beads.

How significant is the number of beads
Usually, traditional Tibetan prayer beads have 108 beads. This number is considered sacred in Buddhism and Hinduism. However, if you feel that 108 is a lot, you can purchase a necklace with 27 or 54 beads. Some necklaces have beads of different shapes after the 27^th bead. So, you can keep track of your repetitions efficiently. Such prayer beads also allow for shorter meditation periods.

How can you use prayer beads for meditation?
Breath control and repetition of the chant are two key starting points while using prayer beads during meditation. It is advisable to focus on your breathing while meditating. You can use prayer beads for managing your breath by:

1. Holding the prayer beads in one hand
2. Allowing the beads to drape around your fingers so that you may move them with ease
3. Inhaling and exhaling one full breath
4. Moving the fingers to the next bead; breath in and out once for each bead
5. Concluding at the guru bead to finish 108 breaths
6. Moving your fingers in the other direction until you again reach the guru bead if you wish to do another round.

While following these steps, you may repeat a chant, which can be a sound, word, or phrase to be aware of during meditation.

The word bead originates from the old Anglo-Saxon word “bede,” which refers to prayer. Beads were first used for religious purposes 29 centuries ago in Hinduism. Soon thereafter, Muslims and Buddhists started using prayer beads. Later, Christian rosaries became prevalent during the Middle Ages. Here, we take you through the various forms of prayer beads across three different religions.

Types of prayer beads
Here are a few important forms of prayer beads across diverse religions:

Christian prayer beads
These prayer beads are recognized in Lutheran, Episcopal, and Catholic churches. They are used for meditating, counting prayers, and chanting. Additionally, they can also be seen during devotionals. In certain instances, every bead represents a specific concept or event. These prayer beads can be made in the form of a necklace or bracelet, and many materials are utilized to make them.

Christian prayer beads are used in several religious practices, as they help them work more efficiently. With these beads, you can recite prayers better. A few denominations that use these prayer beads include Lutheran churches, the Episcopal Church of the United States, the Anglican Church, Protestant believers, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. The rosary is the most popularly known prayer bead. It is made with five sets of ten beads. The other types of Christian prayer beads are the Lutheran rosary, the Wreath of Christ, and the Anglican rosary.

Buddhist prayer beads
Also known as Tibetan prayer beads, these beads can be useful in many aspects of meditation. They are connected through a string and consist of 108 beads and one Guru bead. Each bead denotes a breath or chant, which you pay attention to as you inhale and exhale. Tibetan prayer beads are made of materials such as gemstones, wood, and seeds, among others. These beads are a representation of spiritual identity. At present, they are used in different techniques of meditation. Apart from traditional prayers, you can use them to achieve peace of mind and positive spiritual energy. These prayer beads can help reduce blood pressure and stress, as well as improve sleep.

Islamic prayer beads
In Islamic culture, prayer beads are referred to as “Subha” or “Misbaha.” The most common types have 99 beads and are segregated into three segments containing 33 beads each. The materials used to create these beads include plastic, pearls, and wood. Semi-precious gemstones, such as amber, agate, carnelian, and onyx are also used to make these prayer beads. These beads are common gifts for spiritual pilgrimages.