Dear Gunnar, Thomas and friends,

I am not exactly sure, but both could be imported from China (or
Taiwan). :-)

The use of rosaries is wide spread in many religions, and has some
social significance. However, I have not heard of its use in Theravada
practice.

metta,
Yong Peng.

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, Gunnar Gällmo wrote:

> In the book, An Introduction to Buddhism, the author
> (Peter Harvey) states that rosaries are used in Southern
> Buddhism to count off repeated chants as a mantra

In Burma, I have seen for sale two kinds of rosaries: one with 32 beads
(supposably for "kesa loma nakhaa..."), and one with 108; I don't know
how this longer one is mainly used.