When performing mantra recitation, it is very important not to let your mind become disturbed by distracting thoughts when in one-pointed
concentration. Practice becomes uninterrupted by reciting continuously. When your mind is distracted, it doesn’t matter how much you recite; apart from merely diminishing your verbal obscurations a bit, it will be very difficult to accomplish your desired goal. The great guru Padmasambhava said: Recite with undistracted concentration. Should you become distracted elsewhere, Even reciting for an eon will bring no result. The rosary you use to count as you chant should have specific qualities as well. On this topic, master Padmasambhava, the second buddha, stated:
For a (mala) rosary, the best substances are jewels. Seeds that come from trees are second best. The lowest are clay, stones, And the nine types of medicine. Conch makes for peaceful rosaries and is recommended for pacifying activities. Golden rosaries are used for enriching activities, While rosaries of coral accomplish magnetizing activities. Rosaries of iron and turquoise are for wrathful activities.
Zi and agate are auspicious for various activities. Clay and seeds are used for pacifying activities. Apricot seeds accomplish enriching activities. Soapberry is auspicious for magnetizing activities. Nāga, garuda beak, and rakṣa are recommended. As rosaries for wrathful activities, While bodhi seeds are auspicious for all. Rosaries of bodhi tree and the kyenyen tree Are auspicious rosaries for pacifying activities. Mulberry and other fruit trees make rosaries That accomplish enriching activities. Rosaries of red sandalwood and tamarisk are recommended for magnetizing activities. Teak and thorns are wrathful trees. Rosaries of barlo tree Are recommended for all activities. Ivory rosaries accomplish all activities. Clay balls make peaceful rosaries. For enriching, stone rosaries are auspicious. Rosaries of medicine accomplish magnetizing activities, while rosaries of the great bone, such as skull, will accomplish wrathful activities. Rosaries composed of a mixture are said to accomplish all activities.
Concerning the multiplication of benefits associated with these substances, the Vajra Peak Tantra says: Reciting with iron multiplies by a factor of two and with copper by a factor of four. Rudrakṣha multiplies by twenty million, While pearl multiplies by a factor of one hundred. Indra’s seed multiplies the practice by one thousand. Silver multiplies it by one hundred thousand. Ruby is said to multiply by one billion, And the bodhi seed, to do so infinitely. The bodhi seed, also known as putrajīva, is the supreme rosary. It is auspicious for any peaceful or wrathful practice.
Regarding the way to string the rosary and the main bead, the Tantra of the Natural Arising of Awareness explains: For the rosary, join three, five, or nine strings, Symbolizing the three kāyas, five families, and nine vehicles.The knots are tied in three tiers, symbolizing the three kāyas. Despite what is written here, normally it is said that the three tiers symbolize the three vajras. According to this approach, the upper bead should be blue, symbolizing enlightened mind, the unchanging wisdom of reality. The middle bead should be red to symbolize vajra speech, while the lower one should be white, symbolizing vajra body. As for the blessing and subsequent consecration, the knowledge holder Chökyi Drakpa said, “First, you should wash your mouth and hands with clean water. Next, cleanse the rosary with the five substances of a cow and anoint it with perfume.”