Tibetan Singing Bowls

Singing bowls (which are also known as 'Himalayan bowls' and sometimes 'rin gongs' in the region of Japan) could be classified as a type of bell, which is specifically categorized as a standing bell. Instead of than hanging inverted or being strongly attached to any kind of handle, the standing bells are adjusted in such a way that their bottom surface is put at rest on a firm prop or support. As for the sides and rim of singing bowls, they are left free to vibrate, the occurrence of which results in producing sound. The traditional usage of these singing bowls was nothing but an integral part of the meditation practice, which is an important aspect of the religion of Budhhism. This purpose of singing bowls increased their popularity all over Asia. However their popularity and acknowledgement is not just limited to Asia anymore. Instead the word and usage of singing bowls has spread all over the world for multiple purposes, which include meditation, physical and mental relaxation, proper healthcare, personal and collective well-being as well as prosperity and devotion in religious practice. Because of the last purpose, sometimes these singing bowls are also referred to as Tibetan prayer bowls.

In the historical times, singing bowls were manufactured in Asian regions like Tibet, Nepal, India, Bhutan, China, Japan and Korea. In the present scenario, the manufacturers of ‘Tibetian singing bowls’ (which is the name that has been given to the best variety of singing bowls relating to their huge popularity all over Tibet) are mostly found in Nepal, India, Japan as well as Korea. Basically the best quality singing bowls are made in the Himalayan region.

According to what Perry (1996) and Jansen(1992) have found (both of them being famous and well-known western scholars), not a great deal of findings have been gathered in the western scenario of research as far as the Tibetian bowls are concerned. The use of a Tibetian bowl in the ancient times was quite frequent and popular yet historians have not been able to find a definite purpose behind the usage of Tibetian singing bowls. Some people state that these bowls were used for the sole purpose of meditation while others are of the opinion that a Tibetian singing bowl was a magical tool, whose use was employed for the purpose of transforming self and of matter.

Tibetian singing bowls have a warm tone of sound, which is played by striking with a soft mallet resulting in the melody of chimes. There are both fake as well as genuine antique singing bowls. The genuine or real antique singing bowls could be identified by the sound their striking produces. This particular sound is somewhat complex in nature in relation to the overtone that could be found in the tingle of the sound that Tibetian singing bowls produce. In addition to that, there are other ways to produce sound from Tibetian singing bowls. For example, the singing bowls could be played with the help of friction, which is the result of rubbing a mallet, which is wrapped in wood, plastic or leather. This mallet is adjusted around the rim of the singing bowl, which ultimately results in producing overtones and eventually a constant ‘singing’ sound. However this unique sound is only produced in antique singing bowls. This is basically the prime criterion to distinguish an antique singing bowl from a new singing bowl. Often it happens that new singing bowls are given such a texture, feel and appearance that they look like antiques and are consequently sold at higher prices. The import of these singing bowls is quite frequent now. The major countries, which export singing bowls are Nepal and India, although high quality singing bowls could also be found in Japan and Korea, nevertheless are not imported on a wide basis. These Tibetian singing bowl imports form a definite and blooming international industry with plenty of opportunities for international trade.