Large Green Sandal Wood Bracelet

They are usually round, but in some cases, they are carved in the form of human skulls, a reminder of the impermanence of life.

Traditionally, Buddhist rosaries have 108 beads, representing the 108 human passions, or one mala counts as 100 mantras, and the 8 extra are meant to be dedicated to all sentient beings (the practice as a whole is dedicated at its end as well).

Some smaller Chinese rosaries have 18 beads, one for each lohan.

Even the beads that fasten the string together have a meaning: they symbolize the three jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the dharma (his teachings), and the Buddhist community.

The string passing through the beads stands for the power of all the Buddhas that runs through everything.

* 12 beads, each bead approximately 3/4 in. in diameter