The beads represent the supreme fruit of the Bodhisattva path, The central break signifies the cessation of defilements. The string that threads them represents Guanyin, The master bead symbolizes Amitayus.

Take care not to skip over beads—this would be a fault against the Dharma. All merit accumulates through the mindful use of the mala.

A conch-shell mala brings onefold merit; A wooden bead mala brings twofold merit; An iron bead mala brings threefold merit; A copper bead mala brings fourfold merit; Crystal, pearl, and precious gem malas— These bring a hundredfold merit.

A thousandfold merit comes from the deva's child beads; Vajra seeds bring ten million merits; Lotus seed malas bring billions of merits; Bodhi seed malas bring immeasurable merits.

For Buddha-family recitation, use Bodhi seeds; For Vajra-family practice, use vajra seeds; For Jewel-family recitation, use various gems; For Lotus-family practice, use lotus seeds; For Karma-family malas, string together mixed beads.

Malas are classified into four types: Superior, most excellent, middling, and lower. One thousand eighty beads is superior; One hundred eight beads is most excellent; Fifty-four beads is middling; Twenty-seven beads is the lower kind.

Hold the mala with both hands at the heart, In meditative stillness, free from distraction, focused mind. Uniting with the deity in single-pointed concentration, One accomplishes both principle and practice.

Whether placed upon the crown, worn on the body, Or hung around the neck or on the arm— All speech becomes recitation, Purifying the three karmas through this practice.

Wearing it on the crown purifies uninterrupted offenses; Wearing it around the neck purifies the four grave transgressions; Holding it on the arm removes many misdeeds, Enabling practitioners to swiftly become pure.

If you cultivate mantras and dharanis, Recite the names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, You will attain immeasurable supreme merit, And all your highest aspirations will be fulfilled.