What Is a Singing Bowl?

Singing bowls are known by different names like Himalayan Singing Bowls, Rin and Japanese suzu gongs. They are popular in homes, temples and gardens all over the world, and can be a variety of sizes. They are considered a type of "standing" bell, even though they are common bowls in appearance.

Origins

Singing bowls were originally used in Buddhist trance meditation and prayer rituals in Asia. They are thought to have originated before the 5th century B.C. and have since become ever more popular throughout Asia and other parts of the world.

Material

Singing bowls are often made of bronze with designs are hammered into them, but there are also crystal singing bowls which are usually either clear or frosted quartz crystal.

Sounds

Singing bowls produce multiphonic and polyharmonic sounds that are caused by a special quality found in bronze alloy metal. The sounds are produced by friction which is made by rubbing the top edge of the bowl with a wooden or plastic mallet after striking the side. Mallets are usually wrapped in leather or other materials.

Meditation

Singing bowls originated as meditative tools because of the unique sounds, and as of 2009 are still used in meditation and trance therapy. The soothing continuous tones produced by rubbing the bowls are believed to help people achieve deeper states of trance.

Healing

Sound therapy uses vibrational sound from singing bowls as a means to relieve tension and stress. The continuous reverberation lulls patients into a deeper state of trance which promotes a greater sense of well-being.

Feng Shui

Singing bowls are often found as a part of feng shui. Practitioners believe that the bowls clear a living area of bad energy.

References

• Feng Shui/Singing Bowls
• Bodhisattva Trading Company
• Sound Therapy and Tibetan Bowls