Monk prayer beads are similar to most other spiritual beads used across religions and spiritualities. These malas are known as “threngwa” in Tibetan. Prayer beads help you focus on your chants when you’re meditating. They also help you keep count of the number of times you chanted a sacred verse or the name(s) of a deity.

Since the name of a deity or prayer is repeated several times, prayer beads act as tools that help you keep a count of these chants. Monk prayer beads help you improve your focus during spiritual practices. Depending on their properties and specific purpose, there are several types of beads used in each mala.

Prayers beads are spiritual tools that have been in existence for thousands of years. Two of the oldest origins of these beads are India and Nepal, the two places in the world that have been practicing meditation for the longest time. However, now monk prayer beads can be found across the world.