Buddhist prayer beads or &quot;Japa mala&quot; are a traditional tool used to count time while meditating using mantras. They are similar to other forms of prayer beads used in various world religions and to Christianity's Rosary...A Japa mala is a set of beads commonly used by Hindus and Buddhists, usually made from 108 beads, though other numbers, usually divisible by 9, are also used. Malas are used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra or the name or names of a deity. This practice is known in Sanskrit as japa. Malas are typically made with 19, 21, 27, 54 or 108 beads.