Tibetan Singing Bowls

Tibet has a long tradition in the production and use of singing bowls. They have been used for many purposes, including musical instruments, religious ceremonies and meditation. The first bowls, known and quickly popular in the West, were brought by travellers from this country. Therefore the term "Tibetan singing bowl" has developed into a synonym for singing bowls from Asia. Even though most singing bowls come from Nepal and India long ago and Tibet no longer plays a role in the production of singing bowls due to the political situation.

This is what makes Tibetan singing bowls so special

Tibetan singing bowls are characterized by their classical bowl shape and a beautiful sound rich in overtones. They can be beaten by hand or cast. In Europe beaten bowls are more popular than cast bowls, in the USA it is exactly the other way round. They are often decorated with Buddhist motifs such as the "Buddha Eye", Buddhist mantras, religious motifs or symbols of happiness. They can be the colours of the chakras, blackened or gold.

Possible uses and effects of their sound

Tibetan singing bowls can be used universally. They are suitable for sound massage as well as for accompanying meditation, mindfulness exercises with children and adults or sound journeys or sound infusions in the sauna, which intensify sweating. The sound of the Tibetan singing bowls is not only audible, but tangible. If you hold the bowl in your hand, you can feel how the vibrations in your arm continue. This is due to the high water content of the body, which reigns over the sound waves. This principle is used in the sound massage.

Singing bowls from Nepal

Like Tibet, Nepal lies in the famous Himalayan mountains and can also look back on a long tradition in the production of singing bowls. The old craftsmanship was almost lost due to progress and was only successfully revived by the increasing demand for singing bowls from the West. The production takes place in small workshops by hand and is a sweaty affair. The composition of the metal has a decisive influence on the sound result and can vary in Nepal due to the fluctuating availability of the metals.

Singing bowls from India

Many Nepalese emigrated to India and took their knowledge about singing bowls with them. But also in the culture of India singing bowls are of great importance for meditation and ceremonies. There are two main focuses in the production of singing bowls: Cast bowls are mostly made in the north of India in the city of Moradabad, beaten bowls mostly come from the south around the city of Calcutta. Many high-quality singing bowls, which are often beautifully decorated, come from India.

A selection of Tibetan singing bowls

1. Choepa - beaten singing bowl with a matt golden shine in many sizes
2. Buddha Eye - cast singing bowl with "Buddha Eye" decoration from Nepal
3. Kaschmir - singing bowl decorated with symbols of happiness
4. Kathmandu - cast bowl with dot pattern from Nepal
5. Medicine Buddha - forged singing bowl with medicine Buddha inside the floor
6. Om Gravur - singing bowl with om engraving inside the bottom
7. Nada Yoga - beaten singing bowl from Nepal
8. Flower of Life - richly decorated singing bowl from India