Creative Beading

How do you make Buddhist prayer beads?

I’d love to make some prayer beads for my brother, who is a practicing Buddhist. Could anyone tell me the basics about Buddhist prayer beads, like how many beads to use, where to get the beads, and anything else that makes Buddhist prayer beads unique?

A set of Buddhist prayer beads is called a “mala” (or “malas” for two or more sets).

Malas come in two basic sizes — 27 beads or 108 beads.

You can easily make them with materials from any bead store. All you need are round beads. These can be glass, wood, or seed. String them with suitable material and you’re all set.

If you want to be fancy, you can make a set that also has a “head bead,” a slightly larger bead that helps people count while they’re using the beads. If you’d like to make a mala with a head bead, you still use 27/108 beads, and the head bead is extra.

Sometimes you can find a head bead that is drilled all the way through and then has another hole drilled perpendicular to the original hole. You run both ends of the thread into the center hole from each side and then pull them up through the perpendicular hole. You can then put a small tassel on the outside of the head bead, using the ends of the thread. (If this isn’t clear, just ignore it! It’s fancy, but not necessary.)

If you’re using 27 small beads, it’s probably better to use elastic for stringing them, so that it will slip easily over a wrist.

The link below shows you a variety of malas and will give you an idea how to make them. Have fun!

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