Wrist mala made of large black seeds
and considered in Buddhist countries
as being the mala "of origins".
It is on a mala of this type that the Buddha would have practiced.
(the "Bodhi seed" malas were only used after
that the Buddha meditated under a tree "Of the Buddha").
*
In Thailand such a mala is called Look Prakham Dee Kwaï ,
In India it is called Reetha Mala and in Tibet
The name of these seeds is Lat Ton.
*
These black seeds come from Sapindus Saponaria
(a cousin of the tree that produces the famous Indian soap nuts,
the fruits of Sapindus Saponaria are also used
soap and medicine for animals).
*
An Indian tradition assures that if a child wears such a Reetha Mala
he is protected against evil spirits,
and if it is a cow it wears one
will not get sick and will be protected from epidemics.
*
This type of mala is mentioned in the Soap Tree Sutra where it is written:
"King Vaiduria of the Nanda Kingdom was dogged by various problems: attacked by his enemies, an epidemic ravaged his subjects.
He went to the Buddha to ask for advice and a simple practice to pacify his mind and solve his problems.
*
The Buddha told him to make a necklace of 108 soap tree seeds
and to recite the refuges:
Taking refuge in the Buddha as an example,
Take refuge in the Dharma for it is the ultimate truth,
Take refuge in the Sangha which is the community of practitioners.
*
Imagine being able to meditate with a mala identical to that of Buddha Shakyamuni: that's what you will do
if you get one of these malas.
*
It is quite rare to see this type of mala nowadays, even in Asia,
and to my knowledge no website
nor any store offers it in Europe.