The 108 mala beads are commonly used prayer tools in Buddhism and Hinduism, typically consisting of 108 beads. These beads are used for meditation, chanting, and other spiritual practices. The number "108" symbolizes the 108 afflictions or defilements in Buddhism. Each bead represents the transcendence of one affliction, and the total of 108 beads symbolizes the completion of the spiritual practice. With each turn of a bead, there is an inner purification and the release of one’s afflictions.