MONKS OF THE DIP TSE CHOK LING MONASTERY ~ SACRED CEREMONIES - RITUAL MUSIC OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM

Tibetan Mysteries

Tracks:

1
"The Offerings for General Protectors (Sarkam)"
13:02
2.
"A Prayer of Kala Rupa"
6:25
3.
"The Praises for Guyashamaya (Sangva Duva)"
5:41
4.
"The Prayers of Forgiveness (Sosol)"
5:27
5.
"A Traditional Composition for Gya Ling and Dung Chen"
4:53
6.
"Dedications in Verses (Monlam)/Guru Puja (Lama Chophey Tsok)"
26:36


The ritual chants of the monks of the Dip-Tse-Chok-Ling Monastery date back to the 18th century, when their native monastery was founded in Tibet . Later they were forced to move to Dharamsala , a small city in the foothills of the Himalayas . The Tibetan Buddhist group consists of 47 monks . In 1989, producer David Parsons and his wife Kay visited the monastery three times to record the monks' ritual music .By the time of the second session, the monks had conducted a preparatory rehearsal. This particular monastery is famous for a unique style of low pitched chanting called gya me. The monks were so carried away by the recording that they persuaded the 70-year-old abbot of the monastery, Kalsang Norbu, to lead the chants on the last track.

Lying in the shadows of the magnificent Himalayas, the
village of Dharamsala is at the heart of Tibetan Buddhism. In
this modest village where the first great rock wall of the
Himalayas rises up from the plains of India, the Dalai Lama lives
in exile among numerous followers. From the center of town, a
rugged pathway leads to the Dip Tse Chok Ling Monastery School,
home to over forty monks and students who have dedicated their
lives to spiritual growth and contemplation. Sacred Ceremonies:
Ritual Music of Tibetan Buddhism crosses the threshold of this
sanctuary to explore the vibrant sounds of the monks' ancient
musical meditations with clarity and sensitivity. Digitally
recorded on location by David Parsons, these performances of six
traditional rituals resonate with a wide variety of tone colors
and techniques mastered through the ancient art of multiphonic
chanting. This powerful sound is believed to emanate only from
those who have attained a wisdom that transcends the self. Each
vocalist produces a chord encompassing two or three tones through
the intricate manipulation of overtones. Breathing plays an
integral part in the creation of this remarkable sound; even the
gya ling (Tibetan oboe) players use circular breathing to produce
continuous tones from their instruments. The musical meditations
are enhanced by rousing blasts of the dung chen, a pair of twelve
foot long metal trumpets. Dramatic beats from bass drums and
stirring splashes from large cymbals add to the sonic intensity
of these exhilarating rituals.

----------------

The Dip Tse Chok Ling Monastery was founded in 18th
century Tibet by the Venerable Yongzin Yeshi Gyaltsen, tutor to
the eighth Dalai Lama. The lineage of the monastery continued
until 1959, when Tibet suffered the devastating Lhasa uprising.
Together with over 3,000 other practicing monasteries, Dip Tse
Chok Ling was razed to the ground. Fortunately, its inmates
managed to salvage many religious artifacts and documents, and
escape with them to Nepal. In 1976, the Dip Tse Chok Ling
Monastery was reestablished in Dharamsala, India, by Lama Tashi,
and construction began in 1984 on the present day monastery. Lama
Tashi lived the remainder of his life there, rebuilding and
reestablishing the old way of life. Since his passing in 1992, a
stupa (memorial) has been built next to the temple. Today, the
monastery continues to house numerous monks and students.

~ ~ ~

May all sentient beings be liberated

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