Tibetan Buddhism: Tantras of Gyütö

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Release Date
DescriptionExcerpt

Music plays an integral role in Tantric Buddhism, seen as a means to transform the whole stream of being into illumined awareness. The Sangwa Düpa tantra, which is concerned with discovering the self-existing sacredness of the universe and always performed a cappella, is chanted here by 40 lamas and monks of the Gyütö Tantric College. It is paired with the Mahakala tantra, chanted with musical accompaniment by 12 lamas and monks.

Description

Music plays an integral role in Tantric Buddhism, seen as a means to transform the whole stream of being into illumined awareness. Chanting, such as that heard on this recording, is recognized as a powerful medium for inward transformation, since it is a dynamic form of meditation.

The Sangwa Düpa tantra, which is concerned with discovering the self-existing sacredness of the universe and always performed a cappella, is chanted here by 40 lamas and monks of the Gyütö Tantric College. It is paired with the Mahakala tantra, chanted with musical accompaniment by 12 lamas and monks.

ProductionCredits

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Recorded by David Lewiston in 1972 at Gyütö Tantric College in Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, India
Field Assistant: Sarah B. Larrabee
Tape editing: Ben Taylor
Mastering by Robert C. Ludwig (Masterdisk Corp.)
Coordinator: Teresa Sterne

Cover illustration: Detail of a t'anka of Sangwa Düpa from the collection of the Gyütö Tantric College

Originally released on CD on June 15, 1988. Reissued on October 4, 2011.

Nonesuch Selection Number

79198

Number of Discs in Set
1disc
Album Status
Artist Name
Explorer Series: Tibet
MusicianDetails

MUSICIANS
Lamas and monks of the Gyütö Tantric College

reissues?
reissues
Cover Art
UPC/Price
Label
CD+MP3
UPC
075597919820BUN
Label
MP3
Price
8.00
UPC
075597963489
  • 79198

Track Listing

News & Reviews

  • By David Bither
    The work of Nonesuch Explorer Series producer David Lewiston was recently featured at a symposium on the future of Tibetan music at the Rubin Museum in New York. Nonesuch Records' Senior Vice President David Bither moderated the panel and introduced Lewiston; here are his remarks.

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  • About This Album

    Music plays an integral role in Tantric Buddhism, seen as a means to transform the whole stream of being into illumined awareness. Chanting, such as that heard on this recording, is recognized as a powerful medium for inward transformation, since it is a dynamic form of meditation.

    The Sangwa Düpa tantra, which is concerned with discovering the self-existing sacredness of the universe and always performed a cappella, is chanted here by 40 lamas and monks of the Gyütö Tantric College. It is paired with the Mahakala tantra, chanted with musical accompaniment by 12 lamas and monks.

    Credits

    MUSICIANS
    Lamas and monks of the Gyütö Tantric College

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Recorded by David Lewiston in 1972 at Gyütö Tantric College in Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, India
    Field Assistant: Sarah B. Larrabee
    Tape editing: Ben Taylor
    Mastering by Robert C. Ludwig (Masterdisk Corp.)
    Coordinator: Teresa Sterne

    Cover illustration: Detail of a t'anka of Sangwa Düpa from the collection of the Gyütö Tantric College

    Originally released on CD on June 15, 1988. Reissued on October 4, 2011.