From The Shambhala Dictionary of Buddhism and Zen translated by Michael H. Kohn; © 1991 by Shambhala Publications, Inc. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Inc., www.shambhala.com
Skt., lit., “garland, rose”; also called japamālā. A string of beads that is used to count repetitions in the recitation of mantras and the name of Buddha. The number of beads in a Buddhist mālā is 108.
