Article: ASK THE GLOBE

Q. How did rosaries originate? J.R., Boston A. From their use in various faiths in India. Devotees of Vishnu use a rosary of 100 smooth beads, while those of Shiva prefer one of 32 or 64 rough beads. Sikh rosaries are strings of 108 wool knots or iron beads or bracelets of 27 iron beads. Rosaries in Mahayana Buddhism usually have 108 beads for the 108 sinful mental states to be vanquished by prayer. ...

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