How do you use a 21-bead Mala if 21 is not a fraction of 108?

Answer 1

There are many explanations for why a mala has 108 beads, one of which is that one should say 100 mantras, but usually people make mistakes, so an extra 8 beads were added just in case. Think of a 21 bead mala the same way. Say some extra mantras just in case. ---

Don't get too caught up in the mathematics of it all. Buddha never dictated a number and you are not obligated to force one upon yourself unless you choose to do so. Most practices picked 100 as a nice round number, and a few extras to compensate, that's all. How one uses their mala is as varied as any other aspect of one's practice. The whole point is to be mindful, and a mala is nothing more than a tool to help you accomplish this in your practice. In addition to recognizing the need to compensate for human error, you can also use it bookmarks or footprints in topics you wish to be mindful of during a session. For example, when I use a 21 bead mala, I use it as follows:

STARTING OFF:

bead 1 -- I believe that I am prepared to begin.

THE THREE GEMS:

bead 2 -- I take refuge in the Buddha.

bead 3 -- I take refuge in the Dharma.

bead 4 -- I take refuge in the Sangha.

THE FOUR NOBEL TRUTHS:

bead 5 -- I recognize that life means suffering.

bead 6 -- I recognize that the origin of suffering is attachment.

bead 7 -- I recognize that the cessation of suffering is attainable.

bead 8 -- I recognize that to follow the path is to end suffering.

THE EIGHTFOLD PATH:

bead 9 - I shall practice Right View.

bead 10 -- I shall practice Right Intention.

bead 11 -- I shall practice Right Speech.

bead 12 -- I shall practice Right Action.

bead 13 -- I shall practice Right Livelihood.

bead 14 -- I shall practice Right Effort.

bead 15 -- I shall practice Right Mindfulness.

bead 16 -- I shall practice Right Concentration.

THE FIVE PRECEPTS:

bead 17 -- As the Buddha avoided taking life, I shall avoid taking life.

bead 18 -- As the Buddha avoided taking what is not freely given, I shall avoid taking what is not freely given.

bead 19 -- As the Buddha avoided using false speech, I shall avoid using false speech.

bead 20 -- As the Buddha avoided physical misconduct, I shall avoid physical misconduct.

bead 21 -- As the Buddha avoided recklessness from substances, I shall avoid recklessness from substances.

WRAPPING IT UP:

anchor bead -- Session is complete!

This is just how I do it, though. The fact that there isn't a "right" answer here is the only "right" answer!