What is a Mala?
A mala is a simple counting tool for repetition-based practice, such as mantra, breath, prayer, or focused
attention.
Different traditions use different bead counts. What matters is the rhythm, not the number.
How to Use
- Scroll anywhere on the circle to count one bead
- One scroll = one repetition
- Complete your selected goal to finish one lap. 108 is used as the reference cycle for
statistics.
- The timer starts automatically on your first scroll
- The timer pauses after inactivity (configurable in Settings)
Tips for Beginners
- Use it where you already scroll: bus, train, waiting rooms
- Choose a short phrase or a breath rhythm
- Breathe naturally – one scroll per breath works well
- If your mind wanders, gently return to the phrase or breath
- Be consistent – short, regular practice beats heroic sessions
Features
- Offline-first – works without internet
- Privacy-focused – all data stays on your device
- Statistics – track your practice over time
- Customizable – adjust goal, haptics, audio, and theme
Why these numbers?
- 108 – the classical mala count of Hindu and Buddhist practice; 54 and 27 are its
half and quarter, with a marker bead at each quarter.
- 99 & 33 – the tasbih of Islamic dhikr: 99 names of God, commonly recited as
three sets of 33 (Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar).
- 50 – the rosary: five decades of ten, each decade marked by a larger bead.
- 100 – the Orthodox prayer rope (komboskini): a hundred knots for the Jesus Prayer,
divided every twenty-five.
- 18 – chai (חי, "life") in Jewish tradition: a symbolic count for
repetition and giving, though the counting there lives in the day, not in a chain.