Rosewood mala Bead Size: 4mm Bead Count: 108 Like a rosary, prayer Malas are used by Hindus and Buddhists during prayer or meditation to count mantras. Each mala is made of 108 beads plus one Guru Bead, which serves as the start and end of the mala. Mantras are repeated hundreds or even thousands of times a day. A mala is used so that the focus can remain on the feeling and meaning of the mantra rather than on counting.