Sound of Tibetan Buddhism

Meanings and significance of Tibetan ritual musical instruments

Diploma Project Proposal

Snehal Somkuwar New Media Design 2011-13

Introduction
According to Indian Mythology, The sound in form of Aum, is believed to be everywhere in the universe: among all the five elements of nature-earth, water, wind, fire, and ether! Ether is the lightest and it pervades everything. Sound is the characteristic of ether, and so, sound component pervades everything. Indian traditional teachings say that sound is God - Nada Brahma. According to ancient scriptures there are two types of sound struck and un-struck (Aahat and Anaahat). The struck sound is called so because it is always caused by physical impact when a vibration of air is produced. It is any sound that we hear in nature or man-made sounds, musical and non-musical. However, it is believed that there is another type of sound, which travels in space and is not produced by any physical impact. It is the vibration of the ether, the eternal sound of the Universe, ever present and unchanging. This type of sound can be heard from within by self-realized enlightened persons after many years of meditation and spiritual discipline. This clearly settles the importance of sound in the uplift of humanity to divinity. Sound and its impact are well known from the Vedic Culture, strong relations exist between sound and religion. Be it the mantra chanting by pandit in a temple or offering of azaan in a masjid, roots of important sounds can be found in each religion, which also become their identity. Tabla and Harmonium played during Kirtan in a Gurudwara, or Manjiras in a bhajan, bells in a temple or church, or the sheeps horn, Shofar used by Jewish, each religion has importance of musical instruments too.

Buddhism, a 2500 years old religion, whose beliefs and practices are based on the teachings of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, known as Buddha, the enlightened one. This widespread religion, first established in India, has two main vehicles, Hinayana and Mahayana. This project would emphasize more on Mahayana, and especially Vajrayana or Diamond Vehicle sect of Mahayana. Vajrayana, also known as Tantric Buddhism is followed in Tibet and North India region. It accepts all the basic concepts of Mahayana, but also includes a vast array of spiritual and physical techniques, designed to enhance Buddhist practice. Tantric Buddhism is largely concerned with ritual and meditative practices. In all these rituals, there are a certain set of musical instruments are used, called Monastic Ritual instruments. These instruments serve a certain purpose; call it offering of sound to deities or invocation of gods. This project would aim to use sound as a medium to provide a glimpse of Buddhism; especially about these musical instruments and the stories and meanings behind them. Also, an attempt to shed light on how, from the researchers point of view, these rituals seem to be deviated from the philosophy of Buddhism.

Research Question
Using sound as a medium, providing a glimpse of importance of Tibetan ritual instruments, used in Buddhist monasteries and the meaning and significance of their sounds. Also, to check if the original Buddhist philosophy is still intact in the rituals in which these instruments are used.

Objective:

Tibetan Buddhism includes so many sounds, the sounds in the monasteries of its ritual instruments. This project would make an attempt to show how all these sounds can be called its identity. This project would provide an idea about all the monastic musical instruments, their sounds and meanings behind them. What importance they play in the rituals and how they came into picture. Buddhism is based on the teachings of Buddha. Through this project, idea is to initiate a thought in the viewer, that by following so many intense rituals, has Tibetan Buddhism deviated from its philosophy.

Methodology
a. To be able to use sound as a medium, it is important to learn the basics of sounds, to know how sound can be manipulated or designed to portray a certain thing or situation. b. Carry out a research to know more about Tibetan Buddhism, their rituals and the meanings they hold. To attend their prayers and rituals to experience the use of monastic ritual instruments. c. Analyzing the data and the recordings collected to reach an outcome and to form a fair understanding of the system to portray the needed.

Time Frame
15th July 30th July Analyzing the data collected in the field. Simultaneously, getting used to the audio software to be able to manipulate or design sound as required. 1st Aug 10th Sept 11th Sept 25thth Oct Prototyping and improving the idea Final installation or artifact/refinements and

documentation 15th November Submission of the document

Three guide visits in between.

References:
Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs by Robert Beer The Religion of Tibet by Charles Bell A Concise Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism by John Powers Musical Ritual Instruments of Tibet 2500 years of Buddhism by Prof. P. V. Bapat Buddhism Of Tibet or Lamaism by L. Austine Waddell A Collection of Studies on the Tibetan Bon Tradition (Old Tibetan Religion) by Tsering Dhundup

http://www.tibetinfor.com.cn/tibetzt-en/xzyq/doc/0101.html http://orgs.usd.edu/nmm/Tibet/TibetNepal.html http://www.alankara.com/sitebuilder/preview/pre_about_our_music.html

Revised Brief: As the project progressed, focus shifted from the musical instruments to the philosophy of Buddhism and its deviation. Use and significance of musical instruments became an additional part instead being the main focus of the project. More importance was given to how Buddhism has changed over the years and a comparison is carried out between primitive Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. Through this project, attempt would be to initiate a thought process in the user to know more about these things. In the explorations, musical instruments are used as a medium to bring out the importance of simple things, to portray that they are just accessories, tools for the path of seeking peace and not the utmost need.