| Meditation Gong (Singing Bowl) |
[Jun. 1st, 2007|08:29 pm] |
 I've been looking for a good singing bowl for a very long time. I found Bodhisattva Trading Company in LA via web search: they go to Nepal, India, Tibet and select those that have very pure, true sounds. This turns out to be a very small percentage of all that are banged on. The site contains an interview with Lama Lobsang Molam about the bowls. A good bowl will play with a large sound, and will transmit Voidness to the listener. This bowl is from the 16th century and is about 8-9" wide, and very heavy. It has an amazing sound, clear and LARGE. This one goes to Drupon Thinley Ningpo and will reside at Sky Heart in the care of the sangha there. I'd noticed that when Drupon-la gave teachings, he'd look at whatever bowl was provided, and in anticipation give it a tap. Then he'd get a bemused expression on his face. I would love to see his face after striking this beauty. I wonder who it belonged to in the past 500 years?
 This next bowl is mine! It's from the 15th century and a bit smaller than the bowl above. It too has a clear, pure, LARGE sound, a tone separated from Drupon-la's bowl. I also obtained a bell (ghanta) and dorje from Bodhisattva Trading. I immediately felt that the bell & dorje was meant to be mine. It's old too, but I don't know how old, and also has a sweet pure sound.
I was afraid that I'd become attached to the better bowl and want it -- I should give the best bowl to Drupon-la without a doubt! -- but the smaller bowl is a sweetheart as well, and it fits into my meditation room as if it belonged here.
I have packed up Drupon-la's bowl and will send it to Sky Heart, but for those of you who want to hear my 15th century bowl for a voidness transmission, give me a call! |
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| Comments: |
From: (Anonymous)
2007-06-22 03:02 pm (UTC)
Singing Bowl | (Link)
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Explain to me what the significance of a singing bowl is? I've seen one or two, but don't know anything about them. When do you use them and why?
Just your older sister who doesn't know much about Buddhism, but finds it very interesting.
Love,Sherry
Look on the link in the post for a good interview about singing bowls. I just use a singing bowl for meditation -- I bang on it 3 times before and after practice. It settles the mind and formally announces the beginning and end of the meditation period. The article claims a good bowl transmits the experience of voidness. I have to admit that I haven't experienced voidness. Buddhism is about experience rather than concept, so I can't say much else about that!!! I haven't been practicing the "singing" part on the bowl, but I heard the guy at Bodhisattva Traders play it over the phone for me before I bought it, and it's VERY LOUD.
Oh yeah, I use the bell and dorje in various practices (sadhanas). The bell symbolizes wisdom (female) and the dorje I forget, but is male. Different practices use them in different ways. | |
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