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I believe some people use a mala just to make themselves more mindful, throughout the day, by having something "physical" on their person or in front of them.
Or... they could be used like Japaneze juzu...
# Why should we carry a juzu and how is it used?
All Buddhists should carry a juzu for worship. In the early days, the juzu was made by stringing together beads (usually tree seeds) and was held in the hand in order to count the number of sutra axioms one repeated during his worship and was a reminder to him of the many cravings of man. Therefore, in accordance with the I 08 cravings, there are I 08 beads or fractions thereof in a juzu. In some Buddhist denominations which stress self-practice for the eradication of these cravings the beads are shuffled in count or else rubbed together to produce a loud sound during a sutra chant.
However, in Jodo Shinshu which teaches that the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha assures deliverance of us all the beads are not shuffled nor are they rubbed together.
In use the ojuzu is placed over the hands in gassho with the tassel down while the thumbs press lightly on top. When not in use the juzu is held in the left hand.
The juzu is an important article in worship and must not be thrown around or desecrated in any manner.
If it's the latter - it aint' gonna happen. While I know there are people that enjoy that - it's not my gig. I feel too.... self-conscience and comical.
We should ask Fede Von Buttenschlappen about this. I've heard zat she is qvite skilled mit der spankin und der whoopin'.
-bf
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federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
edited December 2005
I've moved 'Ouch!' well on 'ouch!' from that, BF 'ouch!!' .... To thumb-tack t-shirts..... Ouch!!
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federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
edited December 2005
On a serious note, (Lah!) Malas are used pretty much like a Christian Rosary.... you pass a bead through the fingers at each recitation of a mantra.... However I seem to remember reading somewhere, that for someone who is ever-mindful, the very act of carrying a Mala would complete the entire number of recitations, and it would be for them as if they had actually said them.
Personally, I think this is a cop-out, and if it was all really that easy, we'd all be Enlightened already.....But I do think that having a Mala wound around the wrist is a wonderful signal for Mindfulness and being in the Present Moment.... so even 'out of use' they have their purpose....
I have a mala bracelet that I wear - it does nothing other than remind me (every great once in awhile) about the Buddha.
Most of the time, I find that I start to open my mouth to say something and then it starts burning white-hot on my arm. I shut my trap - and it goes back to normal.
Can't figure out what that is all about.
-bf
0
federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
edited December 2005
Boy, if you could mass-produce that one, and hand it out to a few chosen people (politicians, journalists, some Priests) think of the transformative effects....!!!:D
OK - that brings me to my next question. What are some of the things you all chant while meditating? I haven't tried chanting while meditating yet, but I think I want to give it a whirl. One of my New Years Resolutions is to meditate more often, so I am trying to figure this all out!
I would want to know what I'm chanting and what it meant. But there is the story of:
An old story speaks about a similar problem. A devoted meditator, after years concentrating on a particular mantra, had attained enough insight to begin teaching. The student's humility was far from perfect, but the teachers at the monastery were not worried.
A few years of successful teaching left the meditator with no thoughts about learning from anyone; but upon hearing about a famous hermit living nearby, the opportunity was too exciting to be passed up.
The hermit lived alone on an island at the middle of a lake, so the meditator hired a man with a boat to row across to the island. The meditator was very respectful of the old hermit. As they shared some tea made with herbs the meditator asked him about his spiritual practice. The old man said he had no spiritual practice, except for a mantra which he repeated all the time to himself. The meditator was pleased: the hermit was using the same mantra he used himself -- but when the hermit spoke the mantra aloud, the meditator was horrified!
"What's wrong?" asked the hermit.
"I don't know what to say. I'm afraid you've wasted your whole life! You are pronouncing the mantra incorrectly!"
"Oh, Dear! That is terrible. How should I say it?"
The meditator gave the correct pronunciation, and the old hermit was very grateful, asking to be left alone so he could get started right away. On the way back across the lake the meditator, now confirmed as an accomplished teacher, was pondering the sad fate of the hermit.
"It's so fortunate that I came along. At least he will have a little time to practice correctly before he dies." Just then, the meditator noticed that the boatman was looking quite shocked, and turned to see the hermit standing respectfully on the water, next to the boat.
"Excuse me, please. I hate to bother you, but I've forgotten the correct pronunciation again. Would you please repeat it for me?"
"You obviously don't need it," stammered the meditator; but the old man persisted in his polite request until the meditator relented and told him again the way he thought the mantra should be pronounced.
The old hermit was saying the mantra very carefully, slowly, over and over, as he walked across the surface of the water back to the island.
OK - that brings me to my next question. What are some of the things you all chant while meditating? I haven't tried chanting while meditating yet, but I think I want to give it a whirl. One of my New Years Resolutions is to meditate more often, so I am trying to figure this all out!
Most Buddhist meditation is silent, but there are short verses or gathas that are often chanted before and after sitting in most traditions and it's traditional to say a short verse dedicating any merit from one's practice to all sentient beings. Here are a few such verses for you, from a day's traditional Soto liturgy. Where applicable, the Sino Japanese version is also given as many Zen practitioners chant both versions:
The Verse of the Okesa
(Takkesage)
Vast is the robe of liberation
A formless field of benefaction
I wear the Tathagata teaching
Saving all sentient beings
The four Bodhisattva vows
(Shiguseigan)
Sentient beings are numberless, I vow to save them.
Desires are inexhaustible, I vow to put an end to them.
The Dharmas are boundless, I vow to master them.
The Buddha way is unsurpassable, I vow to attain it.
Shiguseigan
(The four Bodhisattva Vows )
Shu-jō mu hen sei-gan dō.
Bon-nō mu-jin sei-gan dan.
Hō-mon mu-ryō sei-gan gaku.
Butsu-dō mu-jō sei-gan jō.
Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo
Kanzeon na mu butsu
yo butsu u en
yo butsu u en bup po
so en jo raku ga jo cho nen
kanzeon bo nen
kanzeon nen nen ju shin
ki nen nen fu ri shin.
KANZEON! At one with the Buddha
Related to all Buddhas in cause & effect.
And to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Joyful, pure, eternal being!
Morning mind is Kanzeon
Evening mind is Kanzeon
This very moment arises from Mind
This very moment is not separate from mind
Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo
Kan ji zai bo sa gyo jin han nya ha ra mi ta ji sho ken go on kai ku do is sai ku yaku sha ri shi shiki fu i ku ku fu i shiki shiki soku ze ku ku soku ze shiki ju so gyo shiki yaku bu nyo ze sha ri shi ze sho ho ku so fu sho fu metsu fu ku fu jo fu zo fu gen ze ko ku chu mu shiki mu ju so gyo shiki mu gen ni bi zes shin ni mu shiki sho ko mi soku ho mu gen kai nai shi mu i shiki kai mu mu myo yaku mu mu myo jin nai shi mu ro shi yaku mu ro shi jin mu ku shu metsu do mu chi yaku mu toku i mu sho to ko bo dai sat ta e han nya ha ra mi ta ko shin mu ke ge mu ke ge ko mu u ku fu on ri is sai ten do mu so ku gyo ne han san ze sho butsu e han nya ha ra mi ta ko toku a noku ta ra sam myaku sam bo dai ko chi han nya ha ra mi ta ze dai jin shu ze dai myo shu ze mu jo shu ze mu to to shu no jo is sai ku shin jitsu fu ko ko setsu han nya ha ra mi ta shu soku setsu shu watsu gya tei gya tei ha ra gya tei hara so gya tei bo ji sowa ka han nya shin gyo
Maha Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, doing deep Prajna Paramita clearly saw emptiness of all the five conditions, thus completely relieving misfortune and pain. O Shariputra, form is no other than emptiness, emptiness no other than form. Form is exactly emptiness, emptiness exactly form. Sensation, conception, discrimination, awareness are likewise like this. O Shariputra, all dharmas are forms of emptiness, not born, not destroyed, not stained, not pure; without loss, without gain. So in emptiness there is no form, no sensation, conception, discrimination, awareness. No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind. No color, sound, smell, taste, touch, phenomena. No realm of sight, no realm of conscious-ness, no ignorance and no end to ignorance. No old age and death and no end to old age and death. No suffering, no cause of suffering. No extinguishing, no path, no wisdom and no gain. No gain and thus the Bodhisattva lives Prajna Paramita with no hindrance in the mind, no hindrance, therefore no fear; far beyond deluded thoughts, this is Nirvana. All past, present and future Buddha’s live Prajna Paramita and therefore attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Therefore know Prajna Paramita is the great mantra, The vivid mantra, the best mantra, The unsurpassable mantra, it completely clears all pain; this is the truth, not a lie. So set forth the Prajna Paramita mantra, set forth this mantra and say: Gate! Gate! Paragate! Parasamgate! Bodhi Svaha! Prajna Heart Sutra!
In reciting the MAHA PRAJNA PARAMITA HEART Sutra we dedicate its merits to:
The Great Master Shakyamuni Buddha Daiosho,
Koso Joyo Daishi Eihei Dogen Daiosho,
Taiso Josai Daishi Soji Keizan Daiosho,
The Three Treasures everywhere,
All sentient beings in the Three Worlds.
We especially dedicate its merits to the peace and harmony of the world, and the strength and sound practice of this Sangha.May this good karma be extended to all relations, and may we realize the Buddha Way together.
We should ask Fede Von Buttenschlappen about this. I've heard zat she is qvite skilled mit der spankin und der whoopin'.
-bf
*snicker*
Anyway. I bought a mala bracelet, probably like Buddhafoot's, a few months ago. All I've managed to do is wear it a few times, then lose it in the depths of my purse :wtf: Oh, well, I'll get a "real" one, eventually ^_^;;
Making your own mala is an enjoyable exercise into which I have found I could put focused attention and fruitful intention, just like making my own prayer bench.
Indeed, I made myself a couple of benches (one of which folds flat for storage) plus a 108 bead full mala and a smaller 27 bead wrist mala.
It's fun, isn't it, Frizzer? And, like baking your own bread or making Christmas pudding instead of buying it, there is a lovely sense of balance and completion in using/eating them.
Exactly!
There's nothing quite like a fresh loaf of bread that you've made yourself. It's much better than the stuff that Tescos churns out (apologies if anyone here works in Tescos bakery!!).
I have a set of mala beads that I use to chant the Three Refuges.
Namo Buddhaya
Namo Dhammaya
Namo Sanghaya
Roughly translated (please forgive my ignorance Rev. Genryu)
I go to the Buddha for refuge
I go to the Dhamma for refuge
I go to the Sangha for refuge
It is also known as the Triple Gem. I usually chant this before I meditate 33 times. Since there are 17 beads, I know that when I get to the biggest one a second time, the chanting is done. A friend of mine went to China and saw them and said she had to get them for me. They have been well used since.
No ignorance there Jerbear - except it's the first part of the three refuges formula. Homage to the Buddha, Homage to the Dharma, Homage to the Sangha. Then comes this bit:
Buddham saranam gacchami I go to the Buddha as my refuge
Dhammam saranam gacchami I go to the Dhamma as my refuge
Sangham saranam gacchami I go to the Sangha as my refuge
Dutiyampi Buddham Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Buddha for my refuge
Dutiyampi Dhammam Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Dhamma for my refuge
Dutiyampi Sangham Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Sangha for my refuge
Tatiyampi Buddham Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Buddha for my refuge
Tatiyampi Dhammam Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Dhamma for my refuge
Tatiyampi Sangham Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Sangha for my refuge
But it's fine on it's own, it contains all the further recitations. In Zen there's a similar practice when we sew our Kesas for example - with each stich we chant, "Namu Kie Butsu" or, "Namu Kie Butsu", "Namu Kie Ho", Namu Kie So", which is taken as I am one with the Buddha, or one with the Buddha, with the Dharma and with the Sangha, and it contains all the rest of the refuges.
What a great idea. I would love to make my own. Where do you go for supplies to make one?
There's a specialist bead shop not far from where I live that sells all kinds of suitable things. My wife buys stuff to make jewellery from them.
I bought a load of light coloured wooden beads and a few darker ones to make the spacers.
For the large mala I used hemp thread to string them on and for the wrist mala I used elastic.
If you don't have a bead shop local to you you could always go to a charity shop and cannabalise any old necklaces that have been donated.
Here's a photo of my two home-made malas :
Rev. Genryu,
The chant that I mentioned is the chant that the temple (Muddy Water Zen in Royal Oak, MI) I attend uses for purification of the mind prior to taking the precepts. I guess they use it because it is simple and easy to remember. And it was the one they used at the temple they branched out from in Detroit. Thank you for your timely response.
No ignorance there Jerbear - except it's the first part of the three refuges formula. Homage to the Buddha, Homage to the Dharma, Homage to the Sangha. Then comes this bit:
Buddham saranam gacchami I go to the Buddha as my refuge
Dhammam saranam gacchami I go to the Dhamma as my refuge
Sangham saranam gacchami I go to the Sangha as my refuge
Dutiyampi Buddham Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Buddha for my refuge
Dutiyampi Dhammam Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Dhamma for my refuge
Dutiyampi Sangham Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Sangha for my refuge
Tatiyampi Buddham Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Buddha for my refuge
Tatiyampi Dhammam Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Dhamma for my refuge
Tatiyampi Sangham Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Sangha for my refuge
But it's fine on it's own, it contains all the further recitations. In Zen there's a similar practice when we sew our Kesas for example - with each stich we chant, "Namu Kie Butsu" or, "Namu Kie Butsu", "Namu Kie Ho", Namu Kie So", which is taken as I am one with the Buddha, or one with the Buddha, with the Dharma and with the Sangha, and it contains all the rest of the refuges.
Gen-
I believe the above "3x3 format" is the "ordination-ritual version".......
gassho
-fd-
0
federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
Gen-
I believe the above "3x3 format" is the "ordination-ritual version".......
gassho
-fd-
In Theravada practice it's also used as part of daily Puja too, a custom that I like. The first Refuge containing all the others is very much part of Zen, and I believe Chan, though you would be able to confirm that better than I, and that definitely is something that is part of ordination.
It cost me about a fiver so what's that in dollars? About 8 bucks I think.
If you'd like one I expect I'll be popping down the bead shop again in the new year so I could cobble something together for you. It wouldn't cost much to ship across as it's quite light.
Well, I was joking, but I would love to have a mala made by you. I don't want you to go out of your way to do it, though. It's completely up to you - please don't feel like you really have to do that for me!
No problem at all, I enjoyed making the one for myself so it wouldn't be a chore. We're always popping into the town where the shop is so I certainly wouldn't be going out of my way.
Perhaps I've found a new business opportunity here. Frizzer's Malas - imbued with Reiki energy to give your inner Buddha a boost !!
No, sorry, don't know who Sid James is. Why do you ask? I did a quick search and found out he was an actor, and I am guessing that is Frizzer's avatar.
Comments
Or... they could be used like Japaneze juzu...
-bf
You could also use them like some early Catholics used whips for self-flaggelation. Now THAT sounds hot! A lil "spanky-spanky" action...
-bf
Try the meditation on her or the spanky-spanky?
If it's the latter - it aint' gonna happen. While I know there are people that enjoy that - it's not my gig. I feel too.... self-conscience and comical.
-bf
-bf
Personally, I think this is a cop-out, and if it was all really that easy, we'd all be Enlightened already.....But I do think that having a Mala wound around the wrist is a wonderful signal for Mindfulness and being in the Present Moment.... so even 'out of use' they have their purpose....
Most of the time, I find that I start to open my mouth to say something and then it starts burning white-hot on my arm. I shut my trap - and it goes back to normal.
Can't figure out what that is all about.
-bf
Yes, I do. Ergo, the smell of burning flesh in my office. You big, stup.. OW!!
-bf
or
"buddhafoot bema buddy" works for some too.
I would want to know what I'm chanting and what it meant. But there is the story of:
-bf
http://www.dharma-haven.org/tibetan/meaning-of-om-mani-padme-hung.htm
-bf
Most Buddhist meditation is silent, but there are short verses or gathas that are often chanted before and after sitting in most traditions and it's traditional to say a short verse dedicating any merit from one's practice to all sentient beings. Here are a few such verses for you, from a day's traditional Soto liturgy. Where applicable, the Sino Japanese version is also given as many Zen practitioners chant both versions:
The Verse of the Okesa
(Takkesage)
Vast is the robe of liberation
A formless field of benefaction
I wear the Tathagata teaching
Saving all sentient beings
The four Bodhisattva vows
(Shiguseigan)
Sentient beings are numberless, I vow to save them.
Desires are inexhaustible, I vow to put an end to them.
The Dharmas are boundless, I vow to master them.
The Buddha way is unsurpassable, I vow to attain it.
Shiguseigan
(The four Bodhisattva Vows )
Shu-jō mu hen sei-gan dō.
Bon-nō mu-jin sei-gan dan.
Hō-mon mu-ryō sei-gan gaku.
Butsu-dō mu-jō sei-gan jō.
Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo
Kanzeon na mu butsu
yo butsu u en
yo butsu u en bup po
so en jo raku ga jo cho nen
kanzeon bo nen
kanzeon nen nen ju shin
ki nen nen fu ri shin.
KANZEON! At one with the Buddha
Related to all Buddhas in cause & effect.
And to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Joyful, pure, eternal being!
Morning mind is Kanzeon
Evening mind is Kanzeon
This very moment arises from Mind
This very moment is not separate from mind
Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo
Kan ji zai bo sa gyo jin han nya ha ra mi ta ji sho ken go on kai ku do is sai ku yaku sha ri shi shiki fu i ku ku fu i shiki shiki soku ze ku ku soku ze shiki ju so gyo shiki yaku bu nyo ze sha ri shi ze sho ho ku so fu sho fu metsu fu ku fu jo fu zo fu gen ze ko ku chu mu shiki mu ju so gyo shiki mu gen ni bi zes shin ni mu shiki sho ko mi soku ho mu gen kai nai shi mu i shiki kai mu mu myo yaku mu mu myo jin nai shi mu ro shi yaku mu ro shi jin mu ku shu metsu do mu chi yaku mu toku i mu sho to ko bo dai sat ta e han nya ha ra mi ta ko shin mu ke ge mu ke ge ko mu u ku fu on ri is sai ten do mu so ku gyo ne han san ze sho butsu e han nya ha ra mi ta ko toku a noku ta ra sam myaku sam bo dai ko chi han nya ha ra mi ta ze dai jin shu ze dai myo shu ze mu jo shu ze mu to to shu no jo is sai ku shin jitsu fu ko ko setsu han nya ha ra mi ta shu soku setsu shu watsu gya tei gya tei ha ra gya tei hara so gya tei bo ji sowa ka han nya shin gyo
Maha Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, doing deep Prajna Paramita clearly saw emptiness of all the five conditions, thus completely relieving misfortune and pain. O Shariputra, form is no other than emptiness, emptiness no other than form. Form is exactly emptiness, emptiness exactly form. Sensation, conception, discrimination, awareness are likewise like this. O Shariputra, all dharmas are forms of emptiness, not born, not destroyed, not stained, not pure; without loss, without gain. So in emptiness there is no form, no sensation, conception, discrimination, awareness. No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind. No color, sound, smell, taste, touch, phenomena. No realm of sight, no realm of conscious-ness, no ignorance and no end to ignorance. No old age and death and no end to old age and death. No suffering, no cause of suffering. No extinguishing, no path, no wisdom and no gain. No gain and thus the Bodhisattva lives Prajna Paramita with no hindrance in the mind, no hindrance, therefore no fear; far beyond deluded thoughts, this is Nirvana. All past, present and future Buddha’s live Prajna Paramita and therefore attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Therefore know Prajna Paramita is the great mantra, The vivid mantra, the best mantra, The unsurpassable mantra, it completely clears all pain; this is the truth, not a lie. So set forth the Prajna Paramita mantra, set forth this mantra and say: Gate! Gate! Paragate! Parasamgate! Bodhi Svaha! Prajna Heart Sutra!
In reciting the MAHA PRAJNA PARAMITA HEART Sutra we dedicate its merits to:
The Great Master Shakyamuni Buddha Daiosho,
Koso Joyo Daishi Eihei Dogen Daiosho,
Taiso Josai Daishi Soji Keizan Daiosho,
The Three Treasures everywhere,
All sentient beings in the Three Worlds.
We especially dedicate its merits to the peace and harmony of the world, and the strength and sound practice of this Sangha.May this good karma be extended to all relations, and may we realize the Buddha Way together.
All Buddhas throughout space and time,
All Bodhisattva Mahasattvas,
Maha Prajna Paramita
Evening Gatha
Let me respectfully Remind you,
Life and death are of supreme importance
Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost.
let us awaken
Awaken
Take heed
Do not squander your lives....
Anyway. I bought a mala bracelet, probably like Buddhafoot's, a few months ago. All I've managed to do is wear it a few times, then lose it in the depths of my purse :wtf: Oh, well, I'll get a "real" one, eventually ^_^;;
It's fun, isn't it, Frizzer? And, like baking your own bread or making Christmas pudding instead of buying it, there is a lovely sense of balance and completion in using/eating them.
There's nothing quite like a fresh loaf of bread that you've made yourself. It's much better than the stuff that Tescos churns out (apologies if anyone here works in Tescos bakery!!).
Namo Buddhaya
Namo Dhammaya
Namo Sanghaya
Roughly translated (please forgive my ignorance Rev. Genryu)
I go to the Buddha for refuge
I go to the Dhamma for refuge
I go to the Sangha for refuge
It is also known as the Triple Gem. I usually chant this before I meditate 33 times. Since there are 17 beads, I know that when I get to the biggest one a second time, the chanting is done. A friend of mine went to China and saw them and said she had to get them for me. They have been well used since.
Buddham saranam gacchami I go to the Buddha as my refuge
Dhammam saranam gacchami I go to the Dhamma as my refuge
Sangham saranam gacchami I go to the Sangha as my refuge
Dutiyampi Buddham Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Buddha for my refuge
Dutiyampi Dhammam Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Dhamma for my refuge
Dutiyampi Sangham Saranam gacchami
For the second time, I go to the Sangha for my refuge
Tatiyampi Buddham Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Buddha for my refuge
Tatiyampi Dhammam Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Dhamma for my refuge
Tatiyampi Sangham Saranam gacchami
For the third time, I go to the Sangha for my refuge
But it's fine on it's own, it contains all the further recitations. In Zen there's a similar practice when we sew our Kesas for example - with each stich we chant, "Namu Kie Butsu" or, "Namu Kie Butsu", "Namu Kie Ho", Namu Kie So", which is taken as I am one with the Buddha, or one with the Buddha, with the Dharma and with the Sangha, and it contains all the rest of the refuges.
There's a specialist bead shop not far from where I live that sells all kinds of suitable things. My wife buys stuff to make jewellery from them.
I bought a load of light coloured wooden beads and a few darker ones to make the spacers.
For the large mala I used hemp thread to string them on and for the wrist mala I used elastic.
If you don't have a bead shop local to you you could always go to a charity shop and cannabalise any old necklaces that have been donated.
Here's a photo of my two home-made malas :
The chant that I mentioned is the chant that the temple (Muddy Water Zen in Royal Oak, MI) I attend uses for purification of the mind prior to taking the precepts. I guess they use it because it is simple and easy to remember. And it was the one they used at the temple they branched out from in Detroit. Thank you for your timely response.
Different "prayers," though.
Cordially,
-Fa Dao-
Gen-
I believe the above "3x3 format" is the "ordination-ritual version".......
gassho
-fd-
Oh, I'm in a very odd mood tonight... must be the solstice...!!
Very cool malas! Great job on them.
In Theravada practice it's also used as part of daily Puja too, a custom that I like. The first Refuge containing all the others is very much part of Zen, and I believe Chan, though you would be able to confirm that better than I, and that definitely is something that is part of ordination.
If you'd like one I expect I'll be popping down the bead shop again in the new year so I could cobble something together for you. It wouldn't cost much to ship across as it's quite light.
Perhaps I've found a new business opportunity here. Frizzer's Malas - imbued with Reiki energy to give your inner Buddha a boost !!
It's what's inside!
What a great idea! Are you set up with Paypal at all? I could pay you that way.
I'll let you know when it's done and I'll pop a photo up here as well so you can see what it looks like.
(Which is why I'm in a constant state of elation....)