Dharma Tools

What are dharma tools?

Dharma tools are the objects used in Himalayan Buddhist practice and in sound healing. On this page they fall into two groups. Sound healing instruments are played: singing bowls, gongs, tingsha, and the bell and dorje. Ritual and devotional tools are used in prayer and on a shrine: prayer wheels, prayer beads, statues and incense.

What is the difference between a sound healing instrument and a ritual tool?

A sound healing instrument is chosen for its sound and is played in a session to support relaxation and meditation. A ritual tool is chosen for its meaning and is used in prayer, mantra practice or on a home shrine. Some pieces, such as the bell and dorje, belong to both worlds: they are ritual objects first, and the bell is also valued for its tone.

Which sound instrument should I start with?

Most people start with one singing bowl, because it carries the main sound of a session. Tingsha are a simple second piece for opening and closing. A gong usually comes later, when you want a deeper and wider sound or you play for groups.

Do I need a gong for a sound bath?

No. A sound bath can be played with singing bowls alone. A gong adds the deepest, widest sound and is often used for the fullest point of a session, so many practitioners add one as their practice grows.

What is the difference between tingsha and a bell?

Tingsha are two small cymbals joined by a cord. You strike them together for one clear ring that marks the start or end of a session. A bell is rung with its clapper or played around the rim and gives a steadier, more sustaining tone. In Buddhist practice the bell is paired with the dorje.

Why are the bell and dorje used together?

In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition the bell stands for wisdom and the dorje, also called the vajra, stands for method. The bell is held in the left hand and the dorje in the right, and together they stand for the two in balance. This is the traditional meaning, and it is why they are kept and used as a pair.

Are all of these items Tibetan?

No. The tools here come from the wider Himalayan Buddhist tradition, and we name the origin on each product. For example, the Burma bell is Burmese, not Tibetan.

How does Sunita choose a gong, tingsha or bell for my order?

Sunita Poudel is a certified sound healer. When your order arrives she chooses your gong, tingsha or bell from her experience in practice, the same way she chooses singing bowls. This is done for each order, not once when stock arrives.

How long does dispatch take?

Orders are dispatched in 3-4 business days from Kathmandu by DHL Express.

Can I order a custom gong?

Yes. Use the Gong Builder on this site to set out the gong you want.