One of the most popular meditation techniques is Japa meditation. The word japa means repetition of a single word, usually a mantra that is divine in nature and is considered a word or a sound in which God is manifested. So when we chant or utter a mantra it is equivalent to invoking the divine tangibly so that we are blessed by God. Thus by the method of japa meditation we are repeatedly invoking God by uttering a mantra. That explains why the japa meditation is also known as the mantra meditation. To help us keep tab on the number of repetitions the rudraksha beads which are stringed together in a sort of a chain is used and these help to keep the number of times the mantra is uttered. The number of beads that are usually stringed together amount to 108. These meditation beads which are made from the Tulsi plant more commonly known as the Basil plant are mandatory in japa meditation. Though such type of meditation is seen more commonly among the people of the Hindu religion, the Christians too, use a bead chain called the Rosary to meditate and this practice is also seen among Buddhists.