Before the Chinese invasion no one had ever heard about these particular sound making bowls, although a singing bowl had been found in an excavation in Tibet, proving they existed some 4000 years ago.

From the spare knowledge we have, we know that the Tibetan lamas used the bowls secretly and for themselves alone, although it seems reasonable that other monks were using them too. The practice of the singing bowls actually came from shamans before Buddhism even was present in Tibet.

Singing bowls profoundly affect and harmonize body and soul. Their sounds allow a deep state of relaxation, and as a result one becomes more aware of one’s inner being and center. Placing and playing singing bowls on the body promotes a deep sound massage of every cell and organ, resulting in a remarkable feeling of well-being.

What do singing bowls consists of? Traditionally they were made of seven metals corresponding to the seven visible planets. Of course it is impossible to find out what you have for sure without destroying your bowl. The singing bowls now made in Northern India and Nepal are typically made with three or five metals, a few of them have been made with all seven metals. No two singing bowls are the same, as they are each hand made. Quality thus varies, and one has to be careful when buying a bowl.

copyright 2001 by Dirk Gillabel

The Union of the Sun and Moon Yantra Trul Khor (’Phrul ‘khor nyi zla kha sbyor), orally transmitted in Tibet in the 8th century by the great master Padmasambhava to the Tibetan translator and Dzogchen master Vairochana, can be considered the most ancient of all the systems of Yantra and its peculiarity is that it contains also numerous positions which are also found in the classic Yoga tradition.

The reasons for burning incense in recent years have however changed, largely influenced by the wide variety of cultures practicing the art as well as the interaction of cultures. In recent years, the practice has gotten quite popular as a result of such diverse reasons.

Today, many substances are burned as incense and may be derived from any material such as oils, solid materials or any substances that produce aromatic fumes. As these materials may take different states, there has been a need for different incense burners to hold these materials. An incense burner for holding a liquid material would be different with one that holds a solid substance.

Picture: happione

In liquid substances charcoal powder is placed on the incense burner and the essential oil poured onto it, creating a stable base. Chemically synthesized incense may also be used. All these diverse forms of incense thus require their own special incense burners and holders.

Incense classification can take many forms. In most cases, the mode and degree of incense burning is used. The 2 groups commonly used are indirect and direct burning. In indirect burning, charcoal or burning embers provide the heat source. Frankincense is one of the materials that is indirectly burnt as well as myrrh. In Europe, Frankincense is used to signify any aromatic substance that is burnt on an incense burner. During burning, frankincense is placed on coal embers in its unprocessed state on the incense burner and let to burn.

Direct burning involves lighting the combustible substance and placing it on the incense burner. The substance continues smoldering even after the initial flame or light source is removed. This initial ignition is all that is required. The substance can either be in liquid form or in finely grounded particles so that it can be entirely.

Frankincense coils can be burnt directly or by suspending them on an incense burner so that it burns completely in a coil-like fashion. Some incense sticks have a bamboo core for support while for loose powder, wood ash incense burners are used. When burning powder directly, it first has to be enclosed under another material before placing it on the incense stick and lighting it up. Other forms of direct burning use cored sticks, solid sticks and incense blanks. In incense blanks, scented dust is used as the fragrance substance.

Incense burners and holders come in all shapes and sizes. They can be categorized on their representation as well as their use. Incense burners representing mythical creatures like dragons and mermaids are common. Others are representations of mythical gods and ancient fairytale creatures. A search online will show up a good number of these burners together with the pictures.