What is a mantra and what is japa mala?
A mantra is a sound, syllable, word or phrase that is repeated. A mantra may be considered a prayer or be used as a form of meditation or as a reinforcement of what one wants to become. Japa mala can refer to either a string of 108 beads or to using such a string of beads to count as one repeats a mantra. As this may cause some confusion, mala generally refers to the beads and japa mala refers to using the beads to count mantra.
