Does Zen apply toward singing? VocalPosture.com has not found any evidence of historical Zen Buddhism applied toward singing. Does anyone know? Please inform us.
Is it reasonable to assume then that Zen can be applied toward singing? Recall, Zen Buddhism is really a derivative of Chan Buddhism (Chinese), and Buddhism started in India, which was and still is Hindu. One would expect these Eastern cultural techniques to have been applied toward singing; and perhaps we just don’t know anything about it.
So, is it reasonable to assume that Zen is applicable to singing?
Well, consider all the other influences Buddhism has in Japan– Zen in tea ceremonies, Zen in archery, Zen in sumo wrestling, Zen in samurai, etc. It would be surprising that Zen wasn’t applied toward singing.
Buddha was known be love singing.
Singing and posture--see Categories, About, Launch 4-2014 
March 29, 2010 at 5:27 pm |
Interesting question. I’ve been wondering the same thing. Maybe in Indian classical music the connection between meditation and singing is more part of tradition than in Japan, I don’t know…
April 27, 2010 at 1:52 pm |
A contemplative approach can be applied to any experience, why not singing. I use mindfulness-awareness practice and contemplation as part of my singing practice and studio.
Robert
http://www.singingself.com
July 31, 2010 at 4:29 am |
I believe there is reference to Zen singing.
To sing from a center of peace and harmony, you would have to tune your vibration to the equilibrium of the universe.
OM.
In Hinduism and other Indian religions, a sacred syllable, om was considered the greatest of all mantras.
Thus om mystically embodies the essence of the universe. It is uttered at the beginning and end of Hindu prayers, chants, and meditation and is also freely used in Buddhist and Jain rituals.
July 31, 2010 at 10:56 pm |
Maybe. But Om I don’t consider to be comprehensive enough to be singing.
August 1, 2010 at 2:04 am |
Several chants and mantras have been sung, ex:
“Om mani padme hum ”
Hail the jewel in the lotus!
“Om shanti shanti shanti vyanah!”
Let there be peace!
“Om sat chit ananda!”
Love, Joy, Healing
Mantras like these were sung over and and over in a purely devotional prayerlike way.
They were considered to help purify the mind, body, and spirit, illuminating harmony inside and out, thus promoting zen.
August 1, 2010 at 11:03 pm |
What you say is true.
These are devotional singing that are suppose to make a person spiritual and happy. Plato’s Republic discusses this– happiness are hunter warriors who at night sing around the bonfire and sing praises to the gods.
Thank you for the excellent input!
As a side-note, VocalPosture is far less refined. We’re at the stretching stage of yoga-meditation, and our aim is not the spiritual gains, as pop singing is socially detrimental according to Plato and I imagine also the Hindu yogis.
I once attended a chanting session with a Hindu cult. Quite an experience!
Yikes, better singing skills enhances decadence. 🙂
August 31, 2010 at 4:39 pm |
There is chanting, yes. Zen can absolutely be applied to singing, as it can be applied to writing (see Natalie Goldber’s work) and painting…all of the arts. If Zen can be applied to eating rice, it can certainly instruct singing.
And, singing can instruct the Zen practice.
Thanks for the question, and the conversation.
March 4, 2011 at 2:00 am |
I like singing. The chanting we do at the monastery is monotone though.
March 7, 2011 at 5:55 pm |
The sutras of Buddhism themselves were originally chanted, so yes, of course. And chanting is even today a regular part of every Asian or western Zen liturgy service in every tradition I know of.
July 8, 2013 at 5:34 am |
In other words: “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.” –Bertrand Russell