Mallah Prayer Beads with Red Tassle in a Presentation Box with explanation on how to use In Buddhism mallas are used as a counting tool whilst reciting a mantra. The most common mantrs is 'Om Mani Padme Hum' - 'Hail Jewel in the Lotus' The beads are held between the thumb and the forefinger and the mantra recited. The mantra is then repested for each bead. There are 108 beads. By doing this Buddhists believe that the invisible thread which links the person to the divine is awakened