Kunga Chodrin

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TANUA NUT MALAS - THE IVORY ALTERNATIVE

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Looking just like ivory, these beautiful white beads are made from tropical tagua nut, used by the Mayas and Incans for emotional and spiritual health. The beads in both the full and hand malas are approximately 9 mm, with a larger head bead topped with a silky red tassle. In addition, the full mala has smaller beads that work as markers for 7 and 21 repetitions. The hand mala has 21 beads and stretches slightly to slip easily on and off your wrist.

Tagua Nut (Philetelas Microcarpas), also called the Vegetable Ivory Nut, is the ivory alternative. The ivory nut is close grain and very heard. The cellular structure and grain is similar to that of elephant ivory, but is more dense and resilient. It resembles the finest ivory in texture and color. Malas are used to count mantras, prayers, and prostrations. They consist of 108 beads. The largest beads called the GURU bead and it symbolizes the Spiritual Source or the Teacher. There are 108 beads (each size 7mm), with 4 counter beads (size 5mm) at position 7, and 21, at opposite sides of the GURU bead. This makes it easy to locate position 7 and 21 for certain prayers and mantras which are required to be practiced 7 and 21 times. These 3 smaller beads should not be counted. The GURU bead is 9mm. The Mala is hand strung with polyester whipping twine. Tassel is 100% cotton. All beads of the mala are tagua nuts.