Music of South Asia: Tibetan Buddhist ritual music

Tibet: mountainous region within China

Chinese rule since 1951 oppressed religious practices and traditional culture.

Buddhist population regards exiled head monk, Dalai Lama, as leader.

Tibetan monks live in exile in newer monasteries in India and Nepal.

Tibetan Buddhism: Lamaism

Indian mahayana Buddhism syncretized with Tibetan shamanism and magic.

Tantrism: worship of creative power through the senses, including music.

Tibetan Buddhist chant:

recitation: chanting of texts on one pitch

melody: narrow melodic range (3, 4 or 5 pitches)

meter: variety of free meter and metrical chanting

vocal style: low pitched voices; overtone singing

CD Example 25. Monks of the Gyuto Tantric College - Sangwa Dupa

Tibetan musical instruments (as sacred ritual objects):

Instruments classified as peaceful or wrathful deities:

peaceful deities represent the passive aspect of Buddhism

wrathful deities represent the dynamic aspect of Buddhism

CD Example 24. Chant asking for the blessing of the Guru Drakmar