Exploring the origin of the singing bowl, theories on their initial usage and, their early production methods.
The knowledge of singing bowl production would have spread throughout
Asia along established trade routes. Many believe that the Buddha,
Padmasambhava, crossed the Himalaya mountains from India into Tibet. He
bought the teachings of the Buddha into the country and also the
knowledge of singing bowls. Contrary to popular belief, singing bowls
were not used during any religious practices but were used instead as
begging bowls and for food. During this period monasteries only used
the singing bowl as a chalice.If
the singing bowl was not produced for religious practice then the
obvious question is: what were they used for? There are accounts of
travelling smiths who would make the bowls with materials gathered
during their travels. Other theories suggest it was the monks
themselves that produced the bowls. If so though, why were they used
for eating and not meditation? What was the reason for having the bowls
'sing'? The fact is no one can be entirely sure who produced the
earliest singing bowls as there is no concrete evidence to support
either theory.Ancient singing bowls were traditionally made of
seven various metals, each one symbolising a different planet in the
solar system. The sound produced by the singing bowls would vary
depending upon how the different quantities of metals were mixed
together. The metals would be combined to form an alloy which would be
left to cool before being beaten into the familiar bowl shape. However,
each of these ancient bowls varies and can have more or less than the
seven traditionally used metals. This would support the theories that
it was the travelling
smiths who produced the bowls as, during their travels, not all the
metals
would have been available which explains why each bowl might be of a
different composition.
Gary Mullen from Tibetan singing bowls. You may reproduce the content of this article onto your own website. However, to do so you must include a link back to HandcraftedUK. Thank you.
