Chanting
In India it is said that the mere sight of a Gyuto Monk is a blessing, but to hear the sound of their chanting is to be transformed. The Gyuto Monks of Tibet are the masters of a unique tradition of harmonic overtone chanting. Trained over many years, each monk has developed the extraordinary capacity to chant in three octaves at the same time. The deep, stirring sounds produced have been called the 'sound of heaven’ and are the subject of fascination by ethnomusicologists the world over.
The monks are able to reach incredibly low notes; way beyond the range of a western operatic bass, and the resonance produced has an interesting similarity to the sound of a didgeridoo. In fact both sounds are considered to be audible embodiments of the human relationship to the principles that order the universe, that which the Buddhists call Dharma and the Indigenous Australians simply call the Law.
Whether it is their mastery of the human voice or the recitation of the Buddha's teachings, which forms the content of the chanting, this unique musical phenomenon is simply not to be missed. Not only does it move the heart and stir the soul it is reputed to have a transformative effect on the physical as well as emotional body.
The Gyuto Monks will be giving a harmonic chanting performance on Saturday 28 May 2011 at 7.30pm. Tickets are $30 at the door with all proceeds going towards the construction of the Kalachakra Stupa for World Peace.
