Mala wholesale
For Buddhist practitioners, the mala is a fundamental tool for reciting mantras. If your customers need to purchase this item, you can rely on the experience of Phoenix Import where you can find over eighty types of wholesale malas.
The mala is certainly a personal item to choose, regardless of the use you want to make of it, whether you want to use it as a rosary for reciting mantras or whether you prefer to use it as a simple necklace.
There are those who find wood more pleasant to the touch and those who prefer a mineral; the size of the beads is also important for those who have to 'shell' the mala during a retreat. For this reason, by having a good supply of malas in your shop you will be able to best satisfy your customers in choosing this precious object.
Furthermore, for beginners or for those who want to always have their mala with them, you can offer an interesting choice of wrist mala that can also be used as a bracelet, wrapped around the wrist several times.
So, let's find out together out what the characteristics of a mala are.
What is a mala?
According to Buddhist tradition a mala, or rosary, of 108 beads is used when reciting mantras. The sacred number of 108 is a multiple of 12 and 9 representing the 9 planets and 12 zodiac signs respectively.
Most importantly, a mala is a tool focusing one’s awareness and concentration during a spiritual practice, meditation, prayer or reflection. Also, by wearing a mala throughout the day, it serves as a constant reminder of one’s intentions.
Malas can also be used to count breaths or used in a gratitude meditation. Mala is a Sanskrit word meaning garland or rosary. Malas are a type of meditation or prayer beads and are ancient tools that were developed to keep the mind focused and clear from thoughts.
There is no right or wrong way to pick a mala. If you are initially drawn to it, it might be the one that is meant for you. Or you can choose a mala that will serve a specific purpose important to you at the time.
Hence, when used during special practices or rituals, tradition has it that different materials are used, depending on the object of the practice, since the properties of the beads will have certain energetic effects.
For example:
- for a ‘peaceful’ practice it is recommended to use a mala made of crystal, pearls, mother of pearl, lotus flower seeds, moonstone or shell, to help increase concentration and provide inner peace.
- for an ‘increasing’ practice, malas made of bodhi seed grains, silver or bronze are preferred, to increase one’s potential.
- for a purification practice, the beads must be made of carnelian or sandalwood, known to have a stabilising effect on the body’s energy field.
- And finally, for the so-called 'wrathful' practices, you will have to choose a Rudraksha or bone mala, to connect directly to the source of existence and to pure consciousness.
A mala is generally divided into four equal parts by a bead of a different colour than that of the other beads, at the twenty-seventh, fifty-third and eighty-first points. Other coloured beads can be placed at the tenth and twenty-first places to keep track of the mantras.
But what is a mantra? Mantras are nothing more than a pre-established sequence of syllables that are repeated over and over and serve the purpose of 'protecting' the mind. As one continues to recite, the power of the mantra becomes more and more profound and effective, creating a unique spiritual imprint on the person who is reciting.
Tassels for malas
The largest bead in a mala necklace is called the guru (teacher) or Meru (mountain) bead. It is located at the centre of the mala and serves as a marker for the start and end of the 108 beads. It is typically made from the same type of material as the counting beads, but it can be different in size, shape, or material than the other beads in the mala.
The guru bead is considered the most important part of the mala and symbolises the relationship between the student and the teacher or guru in the spiritual traditions of India and Asia. The student can use this bead as a point of focus during their meditation practice and seek guidance and blessings from their guru or spiritual mentor.
Two cords generally emerge from the 'guru' bead, sometimes with beads or beads for counting the mantras; other malas instead of cords end with a fringed tassel of different sizes, but very elegant.
The tassel is an essential and defining part of a yogic, Hindu or Buddhist mala. A mala bead's tassel has both a functional purpose as well as a spiritual significance. The colour of a mala's tassel can also have an important spiritual and phycological effect on its wearer.
In the more modern versions, the tassel or cords are replaced with metal pendants decorated with different symbols, a way to make the mala a real jewel.
About jewellery, why not match a stone jewel mala with a bracelet, a pair of earrings and a ring? With the vast range of jewels that you find on Phoenix Import, you will be spoiled for choice on how to create 'spiritual sets' to offer to your customers.
Stone Malas
Gemstone malas are certainly among the most beautiful and elegant. Choosing a stone mala is not only a visual question linked to the colour, but above all a choice linked to the characteristics of the stone itself. Those who understand crystal therapy will certainly be more advantaged in their choice. Those who are less experienced will have to rely on their instincts to find the most suitable mala for themselves.
There is a large variety of stones used to make a mala, such as amazonite with decorated pendants, agate, jade, aventurine, just to mention the more traditional ones; however, your stock must not lack malas in matching stones such as those in amethyst and pink quartz or rhodonite and grey quartz or still the ones in tiger eye and cat's eye: in short, different combinations of colours and energy.
Mala in Rudraksha
The dried berry of the Rudraksha tree (Elaeocarpus ganitus) takes its name from the god Rudra, the Vedic manifestation of Shiva.
Rudraksha literally means 'eye of Rudra' and symbolises the third eye on his forehead. Rudra berries form in a hard wooden shell which, when cracked, reveals a round pitted seed with irregular bumps. Most Rudra seeds come from Indonesia, India and Nepal.
In addition to the Rudraksha mala, Phoenix Import also has a beautiful mala made of Rudraksha seeds alternating with rock crystal beads: an elegant and one-of-a-kind meditation tool.
Mala in Palo Santo
Among the most particular wooden malas, the one in Palo Santo certainly stands out. With an unmistakable scent, Palo Santo malas are the ideal combination to combine the power of mantras with the purifying power of this sacred wood, a must have of spirituality, to create positive energy while clearing away negative energies and restoring environmental balance.
Mala in Vaijayanti seeds
Vaijayanti seeds are white and greyish in colour, have a shiny finish and a natural hole in the centre. These seeds come from the Vaijayanti flower, in the forests of western Uttar Pradesh (India). Tradition has it that the Vaijayanti flower is offered to Vishnu and Krishna.
The Vaijayanti seed mala is a very powerful mala, the wearer it is said, will be able to defeat adversities, as well as achieve bliss, prosperity, glory and positivity in life. It also can help focus and calm the mind.
Mala in lotus seeds
Who does not know the lotus flower? But perhaps not everyone knows about this truly special mala made with the seeds of this flower, just like this unique flower which, despite being born from mud, is of a rare beauty, to harness positive energy and attract prosperity.
Many practitioners love to use these malas precisely because of the meaning that the lotus seeds carry within them, an item that certainly should not be missing from your shop.
Mala in bodhi seeds
More than 2,500 years ago under the Bodhi tree, Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment, becoming the Buddha, the Awakened One.
For this reason, even today for Buddhist practitioners these seeds carry with them the spiritual essence of the tree and are often used in meditation practices and prayer ceremonies, as well as to produce malas. Bodhi seeds have a grooved and natural appearance and using a mala of these seeds helps to enhance one’s focus and mindfulness.
Mala accessories
To store the mala, Phoenix Import has a selection of suitable cases such as small bags made of different fabrics; in white or black cotton differently decorated or in plain cotton.
More sophisticated are the black, blue, grey and burgundy velvet bags in different sizes. And for true lovers of tradition, the brocade bags, typical of Tibetan culture, certainly cannot be missing.
With its drawstrings, opening and shutting the mala bags is practical and quick.
The more experienced practitioners will ask you if you have mala counters in your shop, i.e. small metal pendants decorated with dorje and bell on the bottom to hang on the mala to keep track of the mantras during practices.
On Phoenix Import you will find everything you need when it comes to malas, so look no further and scroll the website at once.