How to Care for Tibetan Singing Bowls

Tibetan singing bowls must always be kept clean to maintain their quality.

Tibetan singing bowls are used for meditation, spiritual healing and relaxation. Thousands of years ago, Buddhist monks believed that the sound made by the bowls would help maintain a person's wellness by regaining and maintaining his inner balance, which could lead to his recovery from any ailment. Today, some people still use the Tibetan singing bowls as a form of therapy to relieve them from stress and the pressures of everyday life. Keeping your Tibetan singing bowl in good condition should be given utmost importance to maintain the quality of its sound and vibration.

Things You'll Need

• Soft pillow or cushion
• Room balanced in temperature and humidity
• Soft cloth
• Liquid soap
• Hot water
• Lemon juice
• Bronze or brass polish

Instructions

1. Place your Tibetan singing bowl on a soft pillow or cushion. Do not place it in an area where it will easily fall or break. Although the bowls are made of metal, avoid hitting it too hard as it may easily crack. Once the bowl has a crack, it will not produce quality sound anymore. A gentle tap will suffice to make it sing.

2. Store your singing bowl at room temperature. Keeping your Tibetan singing bowl away from extreme temperature will help maintain the quality of the metal and its sound. A Tibetan singing bowl is considered a musical instrument, so it must be stored at proper room temperature as are other musical instruments.

3. Use a soft cloth to remove dust and other debris from your singing bowl. A soft cloth will not leave any scratches or marks on your bowl. As much as possible, dust the dirt off your bowl after every use.

4. You may also wash your Tibetan singing bowl with soap and water every week or so. Pour liquid soap into the base of the bowl, then fill it with hot water and let it sit overnight. This will completely remove dirt and debris from the singing bowl. If it is not clean enough, fill it up with warm water mixed with lemon juice. Again, let it sit overnight. Pour out the water from the bowl and wipe it dry using a soft cloth. Your singing bowl must be completely dry to prevent moisture, which affects the quality of the metal.

5. Polish your singing bowl using a metal polish specifically made for use on bronze or brass. A wide range of brass polishes are available in your local stores. Polishing your singing bowl will prevent it from tarnishing and maintain its gloss and luster.

References

• Frank Perry: The Singing Bowls Of Tibet
• Silver Sky Imports: Cleaning and Caring For Tibetan Singing Bowls

Resources

• Asian Art Mall: Tibetan Singing Bowls