Tibetan Gongs
Tibetan Gongs or Khar Ngya མཁར་རྔ། (In Tibetan)
Khar=Palace, Ngya = drum
Traditional Explanations:
Tibetan gongs can be introduces in the following contexts including, composition, symbolism, usage and benefits
Composition: Historically Gongs are made from Bronze base metal alloy with many precious metals added in the Himalayas . Comes in various sizes but in a circular shape.
Symbolism: Various parts of the gongs represents different meanings. The circular shape symbolises the invitation to the path of realisation and wisdom. The golden colour of the gong metal presents attainment of self-realisation. Furthermore, the continuous hammering marks suggest the acquiring of boundless altruistic knowledge and the curved edge represents the fence to the acquired knowledge from forgetting and misinformation.
Usage: Traditional usages include summon and dispersion of a religious gatherings, religious processions, in the Tantric Buddhism the sounds of the Gongs are used to invoke higher spiritual journey.
Benefits: In the Buddhist text says, whoever (including the animals) hears the sound of the religious gong will be destined to the path of inner peace and wisdom.
Modern day Explanations:
Gongs have been used in Tibetan monasteries and temples for centuries. it is usually positioned on the roof top of the main prayer hall, the purpose of gong is to summoned the monks from their quarters to the central hall. It is usually sounds in the early mornings and special occasions.
Legend has that, when the monk becomes captive of an evil spirit who confined them in caves and mountain hideouts releases them as soon as they hear the sound of the monastic gongs. It has this distinct and rich overtones.
Besides the legend, this gong gives that low, smooth and wide range of volume. These days, gongs found in various musical stages and sound related therapies. The energy that releasing from those sound waves are something that you can feel it as you stand close by. The sound is indeed grounding and melodic in nature.
