Rule of the Order - Part Ten

Reiki Mala

Prayer beads are ubiquitous in all religious practices. Many are used for the recitation of mantras, some for the recitation of the names of deities, and some are used simply to occupy a troubled, chattering mind. The Reiki mala is a set of beads used to remind the monk of her vows and of the three pillars of practice. The monk may use the mala in any additional capacity he wishes.

The Reiki Mala may be any set of beads the practitioner uses for prayers, however, the following arrangement of beads is designed around the Order’s practice.

The tail consists of 4 beads. First, large unique bead chosen by the monk to represent herself. It is to be used for centering at the beginning of practice. Use this bead as a marker and a reminder to truly enter your practice. Here is a prayer for the first bead:

I am myself, body, soul and spirit
I am the people I love (name them if you choose)
I am my community, the people I live and work with
I am those who would call me enemy
I am all spirits light and dark, above and below
I am the earth and all her beings
I practice that we may all find healing and liberation from suffering

Space between first and second beads.

The next three beads represent the three pillars of Reiki - meditation, the five principles and Reiki healing.

Space between beads.

The fourth bead serves as a guru bead or master bead. On this bead chant and visualize the Master symbol. Moving clockwise around the beads there are five beads upon which the five precepts or principles are recited, followed by a set of 21 beads upon which the first mantra (or all three) is recited 21 times. Next are 5 precept beads followed by 21 beads for recitation of the second (or all three) mantra. Again five precept beads followed by 21 brads for recitation of the third (or all three) mantra. Finally, five precept beads and the practitioner is back at the master bead.

Upon completion of the circuit, the practitioner may continue around as many times as he wishes or he may end here with a prayer or period of silent meditation.

The beads may be carried and used at any time. Even simply running them through the fingers one after another will help recall the mind to practice.