Prayer Beads, also known as Mala Beads, are a sign of world peace and are meant to bring luck and protection to those who wear them. Prayer Beads are used for reciting Buddhist mantra and in many other cultures to center focus for prayer and meditation. Hold the beads in your left hand and rotate them clockwise as you recite a mantra. Smaller malas are used for doing prostrations as a means of purifying the five mental poisons of pride, ignorance, anger, jealousy, and desire. Meaures 16 inches in length.