A woman's clasped hands with both wrists adorned with Buddhist mala beads.

Handmade Buddhist Mala Prayer Beads (available in store only)

Following the Buddhist tradition, and similar in purpose to the Catholic Rosary, the Mala prayer beads help clear and calm the mind. The string of 108 beads is assembled from seed beads, formed from the root of a Bodhi tree. Each strand is interspersed with other meaningful ornaments, such as jade, stone, metal, or wood. Nepali and Tibetan Buddhist symbols may be included.

Each necklace or bracelet is designed and finished by Feng Xiao Liu, proprietor of Sinofilia Tea Shop. She welcomes customers’ input in planning their set of Mala prayer beads.

Dzi (pronounced “ji,” meaning 'brightness') beads are gemstone charms local to Tibet and the Himalayan mountain range. Tibetan culture reveres the Dzi bead as a “heavenly stone.”

Many different patterns can be found on Dzi beads; most common are circles, squares, and waves. The beads are often imprinted with a sequence of “eyes,” and each imprinted bead represents different meanings according to the number of eyes; for example, a three-eyed bead represents the three stars of luck: happiness, honor, and longevity. The three-eyed wealth and health charm brings continuous fortune. Jade, also native to China, is thought to bring about the wisdom to dispel self-imposed limitations, and promote positive, healthy energy. Amber is thought to promote healing. (The prohibitive price of amber beads compels us to supply only an artificial substitute.) Sandalwood, sacred to the Hindu deity, Ganesha, is said to remove obstacles, create opportunities, and bring sacred activities into one’s life.

Visit our shop and Feng Xiao Liu will help you design your individualized set of Buddhist prayer beads. As shown below, the beads change color with use over time, becoming ingrained with the devotion of your meditation practice.

Price List

One-of-Kind Mala Beads

Buddhist Mala beads custom-made from natural seed beads of a Bodhi tree. Prices vary according to size and rarity of beads. All necklaces contain 108 beads.

Small Bead Strand

$78

Made from Bodhi tree root with added metal, wood, and stone spacers.

Medium Bead Strand

$94

Contains more valuable Moon Star beads, as well as other adornments.

Large Bead Strand

$125

Strung with larger rare beads and spacers that add greater value to their design.

Bracelet

$46

Made of the same high quality and rare Bodhi seed beads and adorned with a variety of attractive stone, wood, and metal spacers. Jade, agate, and other stones used when available.