Why is a string of beads used by some people when praying/meditating?

Question

Does it not affect concentration?

Answer 1

Just to count no of mantras recited.
This is the initial stage.
This will help to become single minded.
To avoid all other thoughts, one concentrate on a single thought or mantra.
Next stage is leaving that mantra also.
ie watching the space or gap between the mantras.
If one attains this stage, he is in Samadhi.(There are many kinds of Samadhi, no need to explain it now)
Or he is simply witnessing, A state of pure consciousness.

Answer 2

They Meditate through String of Beads & it never ever disturb them, At their last stage string of Beads starts from the depth of their Heart & at that stage this Physical String of Beads not needed. It is infact a method of Concentration/ controlling their Vibrating Mind through String of Beads.

Answer 3

Prayer beads (rosaries or malas) are used for counting prayers.
In counting prayers or mantras they don't effect the concentration, in fact they help focus. A tradtional Hindu or Buddhist mala contains 108 beads.
Malas have been around for thousands of years. Missionaries to the east saw Indian & Muslim men saying prayers with the beads & came back & started to incorporate the same thing with the rosary in the west.

Answer 4

To Roman Catholics and the like who use the Rosary when praying, the beads indicate to a person what need to be prayed, and the nth mystery.

The Holy Spirit told us to pray the Rosary as well. The prayer every Saturday and the 13th of the month are only one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be after each mystery. However, the significance of each of the joyful, sorrowful or glorious mystery is explained. It is not just saying what the mystery is.

Answer 5

Yes, but in a positive way. Beads are used by some people in prayer/meditation to aid focus.

Answer 6

Prayer beads are used so people can keep count of how many prayers they have said. The prayer beads usually count up to 101 and there is a bigger bead at the end to mark number 101 and the end of the prayers.

Answer 7

Buddhists, Muslims, Chrisitans, Pagans, Hindi, Shintists, Daoists, Confuscists, all of these have prayer beads.

Prayer beads are a means to an end. They assist with meditation and focus, and serve as a reminder of faith when not being used in active prayers or meditations.

Answer 8

There is more going on than reciting Hail Mary's when the rosary is said. Yes, I use my rosary to help focus my prayers. The mind is a great thing and while repeating the rote prayers I also focus on the life of Jesus. It is not a distraction at all and actually helps me to focus concentration. Different things work for different people. This form of prayer and meditation works in my life and brings peace and fulfillment.
Peace be with you.

Answer 9

Each religious group that uses prayer beads has different prayers, different meditations for said use. But they all have in common the need to keep track of where they are in their exercise. Whether you are Hindu, Catholic, Orthodox, or Muslim, the beads function as counters.

Answer 10

It is called a rosary or a Jaba Mala, used for Religious exercise in which prayers are recited and counted on a string of beads or knotted cord. Generally Hindus use a rosary mala of 108 beads as we generally chant mantras 108 times. This will bring in more concentration in our chanting mantras as we need not count separately which will distract our mind. -