Malas are also known as Tibetan Prayer Beads. Malas can be used for meditation to center your focus, they are also often carried around for good luck. Prayer beads are used in Tibetan Buddhism and they are also used in Hinduism and many other religions. They are similar to the catholic rosary but Buddhist prayer beads are generally longer than Catholic prayer beads. (Buddhist malas traditionally have 108 beads). Tibetan Buddhist prayer beads can also be used for decoration or worn as a necklace or bracelet.