Sacred Tibetan Musical Instruments

Singing bowls have a magical aliveness, and they interact in distinct ways with different people and environments when played. Handcrafted by different makers, each bowl has a unique voice. Comprised of the seven metals representing different planetary influences:

• Gold = the sun
• Silver = the moon
• Mercury = Mercury
• Copper = Venus
• Iron = Mars
• Tin = Jupiter
• Lead = Saturn

Together these metals produce a profound sound which can penetrate deep within the body and mind creating a subtle healing, also useful as an aid to meditation. The bowl is played by holding it in the flat open palm of one hand, allowing the body of the bowl to vibrate freely, while running a rounded wooden stick around the outside rim of the bowl with the other hand. When the correct combination of pressure, angulation, and velocity is reached, the bowl will sing, much as a drinking glass will vibrate to a certain frequency when you run your finger around the rim. How to Play the Singing Bowl.

Small hand cymbals attached with a string. When struck together, they create a clear sustaining sound which calms the mind and can be helpful during meditation. Traditionally used by Tibetan Lamas and lay practitioners as an offering of compassion and generosity to "hungry ghosts" suffering from desire.

Tibetan tantric instrument traditionally used as a set; the dorje is held in the opposite hand, not struck against the bell. As a musical instrument, bells are exclusively handmade, using the traditional ancient combination of metals. The set symbolizes the inseparability of wisdom (the bell) and skillful means (the dorje), combining three aspects of Buddha:

• Body: The body of the bell, respect for a healthy body like Buddha
• Speech: The sound of the bell, correct speech like Buddha
• Mind: The dorje, positive like Buddha