A tool for meditation, a mala is a strand of beads traditionally used for counting mantras. One mantra is said for each bead while turning the thumb around the bead. In Tibetan Buddhism, malas of 108 beads are used. The guru bead is believed to represent the student-guru relationship. Start your meditation chant next to the cream lotus guru bead. The brown pitted Rudraksha beads are seeds of the Bodhi tree where the Buddha gained enlightenment. The tassel represents enlightenment. Its strands combine into one, representing our connection to the Divine and to each other. This necklace is made by the artisan group Manushi, which means "energetic women" in Nepali.