Guru Rinpoche – On Rosary (Mala Beads)

For a rosary, the best substances are jewels.

Seeds that come from trees are second best.

The lowest are clay, stones,

And the nine types of medicine.

Conch makes for peaceful rosaries

And is recommended for pacifying activities.

Golden rosaries are used for enriching activities,

While rosaries of coral accomplish magnetizing activities.

Rosaries of iron and turquoise are for wrathful activities.

Zi and agate are auspicious for various activities.

Clay and seeds are used for pacifying activities.

Apricot seeds accomplish enriching activities.

Soapberry is auspicious for magnetizing activities.

Nāga, garuda beak, and rakṣa are recommended

As rosaries for wrathful activities,

While bodhi seeds are auspicious for all.

Rosaries of bodhi tree and the kyenyen tree

Are auspicious rosaries for pacifying activities.

Mulberry and other fruit trees make rosaries

That accomplish enriching activities.

Rosaries of red sandalwood and tamarisk

Are recommended for magnetizing activities.

Teak and thorns are wrathful trees.

Rosaries of barlo tree

Are recommended for all activities.

Ivory rosaries accomplish all activities.

Clay balls make peaceful rosaries.

For enriching, stone rosaries are auspicious.

Rosaries of medicine accomplish magnetizing activities,

While rosaries of the great bone, such as skull,

Will accomplish wrathful activities.

Rosaries composed of a mixture

Are said to accomplish all activities.