Vibrations from Monks; Tibetan Music and the Hidden Secret

If bullfrogs became magical creatures complete with musical instruments and would play for us, they would perform like the Tibetan monks of the Guyuto or Gyume monasteries. I mean this is a delighted way! I would not be at all surprised if they had a lot of bullfrog influence in one of their past lives. These monks sing in such bass notes with the deepest resonation imaginable. Bullfrogs, and monks, make the most beautiful music that projects through the air. The monk's voices overtones occur naturally as a by-product of their practices such as yoga and visualization.

I heard something else about this particular kind of music. The music is disguised with the words not being perceptible due to the sometimes great elongation of syllables! I am told that even the native Tibetan speakers cannot decipher the meanings hidden in the music. Being able to hear and understand the chants is considered harmful to the uninitiated listener!

The Dalai Lama considered the question about the public performances of the monks and the meaning of the music being performed to audiences around the world. Many of the places where the monks perform are full of not only uninitiated, but not even Buddhist in many cases. This is how he answered:

Although it is not possible to witness the interior processes that are the substantial realities underlying these rites, one can observe the exterior aspects.... We feel there is a beneficial result from seeing these creations since they create a subconscious affinity with the practices and they purify one's instincts....Based on their inner achievement, the Yogis can unfold energies which serve the benefit of the entire country, such as in ceremonies which consecrate images and icons, exorcise negative forces, prevent natural disasters and epidemics, and uplift the spirit of the times." (Parabola, Volume X, Number 3)


I picked out some samples of the music from Amazon.



Tibetan Tantric Choir The Gyuto Monks

1. Guhyasamaja Tantra, Chapter II Windows Media Listen, Real One Player Listen

2. Melody for Mahakala Windows Media Listen, Real One Player Listen





Tantras of Gyuto Various Artists - International - Far East - General

1. Sangwa Düpa Windows Media Listen, Real One Player Listen

2. Mahakala Windows Media Listen, Real One Player Listen



Sacred Tibet Gyume Monks

1. Guhyasamja (Esoteric Communion) Windows Media Listen, Real One Player Listen

2. Kalarupa (Dharma Victor) Windows Media Listen, Real One Player Listen







Other Notes:
Radio Free Tibet is a one hour long show, Mondays 1-2pm, on 91.7 FM Radio KO.OP in Austin, Texas dedicated solely to the Tibetan issue. It will include music, news, interviews and live performances. Tune in if you are in the area.


Directory of Tibetan Music, songs, mp3 downloads
The above link includes these links:
http://www.tibet.com/audio/ - Browse Tibetan Songs for Official Ceremonies.
http://www.musictibet.com/ - Web site of Tibetan Music Awards. Flash recommended.
http://www.uni-muenster.de/Musikwissenschaft/Hauptbiblio.htm - learn about Tibetan Music And Its Cultural Background

Tibetan Nuns of Kathmandu 1999 North American Tour Interesting Excerpt: Traditionally, ritual arts and scholastic study have been a prerogative of Tibetan Buddhist monks. In the Tibetan community-in-exile, this is changing. Nuns are now training in classical Tibetan debate, the performance of ritual music, the creation of sand mandalas, and other ritual arts. This tour will be the first opportunity for most North Americans to see the accomplishments of this first generation of newly-trained young, Tibetan nuns. In addition, the tour has been organized to raise money to support the nuns of Khachoe Ghakyil, most of whom are refugees from Tibet. The nunnery started when five nuns arrived at Kopan Monastery. Eventually so many nuns arrived that a new facility, Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery, was built especially for them. However, there are more and more nuns requesting permission to join the nunnery. Plans are now being made to arrange facilities and accommodations for another 100 residents.