Types of Tibetan Gongs

Tibet, the spiritual home of Tibetan Buddhism, is perched high in the Himalayas. Before the Chinese invasion of Tibet, which sent Tibetan refugees fleeing to North to India and other points on the globe, Tibetan gongs resonated across the land with calls to meditation, festivals and to center Tibetan Buddhists' awareness on the path to enlightenment. Now Tibetan gongs resound all over the planet as the Tibetan people hope to return their native land. While sizes and shapes of Tibetan gongs vary, their significance and functions are the same for all Tibetan Buddhists.

History

Buddhism spread north out of India into the Himalayas and into Central and East Asia. As Buddhism came into contacts with the various cultures that embraced its principal teachings, the religion absorbed aspects of those cultures. Tibetans used gongs for ancient shamanistic rituals long before Buddhism found its way into Tibet and Bhutan. Pre-Tibetan Buddhist shamanism used gongs in its rituals. Although Tibetan Buddhism has its own cultural influences and characteristics, the uses and types of gongs do not vary too widely from those gongs used in other Buddhist cultures. The precise historical origins of Asian gongs are unknown.

Significance

Gongs have a spiritual purpose for Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan gongs resonate throughout the body, and one draws nearer to Nirvana and release from suffering and the causes of suffering. When a gong is invited (never struck), Tibetan gongs remind Buddhists to bring their attention to the ever-present moment. The radiating waves of sounding gongs accompany Tibetan Buddhist prayer and meditation. Since Tibetan Buddhists seek Nirvana--release from suffering and the causes of suffering--they utilize tools such as gongs to aid them in their journey to liberation. Tibetan gongs also sound out Tibetan Buddhist celebrations and festivals, lending a festive air and an ever-present reminder of the Tibetan Buddhists' path.

Function

Generally made of metals, copper or bronze, Tibetan gongs are usually suspended between two poles. Tibetan singing bowls also are classified as gongs. A monk or nun gently invites a gong by tapping a felt-covered mallet around the circular area that surrounds the gong's center, which causes the gong to vibrate. With intentionality and great focus, the Tibetan Buddhist achieves resonant harmony with the gong's sound and with all reality. In this mystical engagement of sound and being, Tibetan Buddhists and Tibetan gongs accompany one another to Nirvana.

Types

Chinese gongs and bowl gongs are the two main types of Tibetan gongs. Tibetan gongs generally are suspended on stands, and are available in a variety of sizes with corresponding mallet sizes. Whereas hanging gongs are invited with a mallet to the center of the gong, gong bowls vibrate when a mallet invites the gong from the rim of the bowl. At temples, one can hear Tibetan monks chanting with the sounds of gongs. Tibetan gongs and bowls are used for private meditation and worship as well.

Considerations

Exercise caution when purchasing a Tibetan gong. Many sellers use terms such as "Tibetan Singing Bowls" rather loosely. In fact, some of these are not Tibetan, but originate from enterprising merchants in India. Additionally, in the West, Buddhism has become an industry and authenticity is not always central to merchants' missions. At tibet.com, the official website for Tibet in exile, Tibetan Buddhists prayer and meditation supplies are available at the Tibetan Shops link (see Resources below).

Resources

• Gongs, including Chinese Gongs, Wind Gongs and Tibetan Gongs
• Gongs Unlimited
• The Mystical Arts of Tibet