A mala consisting of 108 beads is the most well-known ritual item commonly used by the whole community of Buddhist monks, practitioners and general Buddhist followers. It is used by almost every Buddhist follower as part of a daily prayer routine by couting the beads while reciting his preferred mantra. The most commonly recited mantra is the Chenrezig's compassion mantra -"om mani padme hum".

This particular mala is made of pure sandalwood (known as "chandan" in Nepali). Each bead is 9 mm in diameter.