Temple Beth ElTemple Beth ElComparative Religion Comparative Religion

Lecture SeriesLecture Series

Music in BuddhismMusic in BuddhismRole and Uses of Music in Role and Uses of Music in

BuddhismBuddhism

Sutras were originally recited Sutras were originally recited from memoryfrom memory

• Oldest parts of the sutras are Oldest parts of the sutras are believed to be the gatta sections – believed to be the gatta sections – verseverse

• Later when writing was applied to the Later when writing was applied to the sutras they were expanded upon and sutras they were expanded upon and the prose sections were used to the prose sections were used to enhance or expand upon what was enhance or expand upon what was contained in the gatta sectionscontained in the gatta sections

Sutra in ChineseSutra in Chinese• Yellow Yellow

PaperPaper

• Order of Order of CharactersCharacters

• This version This version is is considered considered to be the to be the most sacredmost sacred

Sutra with Romanji Sutra with Romanji NotationNotation• Romanji – Romanji –

RomanizationRomanization

• Red Triangles Red Triangles – Bell Marks– Bell Marks

• Red Dots – Red Dots – MokushoMokusho

• FuriganaFurigana

• American American Priests Priests

Sutra with Sutra with RomanjiRomanji

• Used by Lay believersUsed by Lay believers

• Considered by Considered by Japanese to be the Japanese to be the only correct way to only correct way to reproduce the sutra reproduce the sutra into another into another language – contains language – contains the Kanji charactersthe Kanji characters

Romanji Romanji VersionVersion

• Used to chant the Used to chant the entire sutra by non entire sutra by non Japanese speakingJapanese speaking

• Divided into days Divided into days to facilitate to facilitate chanting the entire chanting the entire sutra in 32 days sutra in 32 days (Based on Minobu)(Based on Minobu)

Rituals and FormalitiesRituals and Formalities

• Initially very fewInitially very few

• As Buddhism moved into As Buddhism moved into monasteries rituals were establishedmonasteries rituals were established

• Buddhism moved away from lay Buddhism moved away from lay practitionerspractitioners

First Major Split in BuddhismFirst Major Split in Buddhism

• Monastic traditions commonly Monastic traditions commonly referred to as Hinayana though now referred to as Hinayana though now only Therevadan exists of all the only Therevadan exists of all the original Hinayana schoolsoriginal Hinayana schools

• Mahayana a response to monastic Mahayana a response to monastic traditions was lay focused – less traditions was lay focused – less emphasis on priestsemphasis on priests

Development of Mahayana Development of Mahayana BuddhismBuddhism

• Different schools formed – sects or Different schools formed – sects or denominationsdenominations

• Each sect adopted sutras that were Each sect adopted sutras that were believed to represent the Buddha’s believed to represent the Buddha’s important teachingsimportant teachings

• Within each denomination rituals Within each denomination rituals were created and orders of service were created and orders of service establishedestablished

Major Nichiren Major Nichiren DenominationsDenominations

• Nichiren ShuNichiren Shu

• Rissho Kose KaiRissho Kose Kai

• Nipponzan MyohojiNipponzan Myohoji

• Kempon Hokke KaiKempon Hokke Kai

• Nichiren ShoshuNichiren Shoshu

• Soka Gakkai – lay onlySoka Gakkai – lay only

• Reiyukai – lay onlyReiyukai – lay only

Lotus SutraLotus Sutra

• Primary sutra in all Nichiren DenominationsPrimary sutra in all Nichiren Denominations

• Ceremony in the AirCeremony in the Air– Great Stupa appearsGreat Stupa appears– Many Treasures BuddhaMany Treasures Buddha– Appearance of Bodhisattvas from UndergroundAppearance of Bodhisattvas from Underground

• Most important Chapter 16 – Life Span Most important Chapter 16 – Life Span ChapterChapter

• Second Most important Chapter 2 - Second Most important Chapter 2 - ExpedientsExpedients

Services in Nichiren ShuServices in Nichiren Shu

• Primarily the order and contents of a Primarily the order and contents of a service in its most simplest form is service in its most simplest form is the re-enactment of the Ceremony in the re-enactment of the Ceremony in the Airthe Air

• More complicated and fancy services More complicated and fancy services recreate the entire sutra in an recreate the entire sutra in an abbreviated formabbreviated form

Buddhism is primarily Buddhism is primarily experientialexperiential

• Place ourselves at the Ceremony in the Air Place ourselves at the Ceremony in the Air as Bodhisattvas from Undergroundas Bodhisattvas from Underground

• The assembly for us has not been The assembly for us has not been disperseddispersed

• Understanding our relationship to what is Understanding our relationship to what is taught in the Sutrataught in the Sutra

• Deepening our relationship enables us to Deepening our relationship enables us to better understand what our actions and better understand what our actions and behaviors should bebehaviors should be

• Attainment of EnlightenmentAttainment of Enlightenment

Musical Elements in the Lotus Musical Elements in the Lotus SutraSutra

• Preaching – without the teaching Preaching – without the teaching nothing happens – everything is in nothing happens – everything is in response to the Dharma being taughtresponse to the Dharma being taught– Heavenly drumsHeavenly drums– Bells and gongsBells and gongs– Heavenly musicHeavenly music– Fragrant incenseFragrant incense– Flowers raining down from the heavensFlowers raining down from the heavens

Three TreasuresThree Treasures

• Many songs, parts of services, and service Many songs, parts of services, and service manner relate to the Three Treasuresmanner relate to the Three Treasures– Buddha – our teacher who attained enlightenment Buddha – our teacher who attained enlightenment

and teaches how to become Buddhasand teaches how to become Buddhas– Dharma – the teaching of the Buddha which enable Dharma – the teaching of the Buddha which enable

us to become Buddhas as the Buddha didus to become Buddhas as the Buddha did– Sangha (Samgha) – community of believers, Sangha (Samgha) – community of believers,

practitioners who in community follow and practitioners who in community follow and encourage others in the teachings of the Buddhaencourage others in the teachings of the Buddha

Buddhist Service as a Buddhist Service as a Participatory ExperienceParticipatory Experience

• Eastern or Asian Traditions – culturally Eastern or Asian Traditions – culturally Buddhist ceremony and services are Buddhist ceremony and services are done by priests and lay people done by priests and lay people observe and benefit by experiencing observe and benefit by experiencing the spirituality of the servicethe spirituality of the service

• Western adoptions – culturally lay Western adoptions – culturally lay people whish to actually participate in people whish to actually participate in the servicesthe services

Sutra RecitationSutra Recitation

• Before the rise of what are called “New Before the rise of what are called “New Religions” not uncommon for lay people to Religions” not uncommon for lay people to not even know how to read or recite the not even know how to read or recite the sutrassutras– Incense offering is commonly done during the Incense offering is commonly done during the

sutra recitation portions because people can’t say sutra recitation portions because people can’t say the sutra and so it gives them something to dothe sutra and so it gives them something to do

– In the West most people learn to recite the sutra In the West most people learn to recite the sutra and do so during service so the incense offering and do so during service so the incense offering occurs during the mantra chantingoccurs during the mantra chanting

Adaptations in the WestAdaptations in the West

• More instruction is given in how to read and More instruction is given in how to read and recite the Sutrasrecite the Sutras

• Instruction in how to sing and perform Instruction in how to sing and perform Shomyo (Buddhist Hymns)Shomyo (Buddhist Hymns)

• Translation of Sutras and use of native Translation of Sutras and use of native language (also being done more in Japan as language (also being done more in Japan as well)well)

• Translation of Shomyo to be sung in EnglishTranslation of Shomyo to be sung in English• Training lay people to assist in ceremonies Training lay people to assist in ceremonies

and servicesand services

TranslationsTranslations

• Sutras into English – presents little difficulty when Sutras into English – presents little difficulty when used in services except generally the English is used in services except generally the English is longerlonger

• Shomyo into English – very challenging because Shomyo into English – very challenging because of the use of abbreviations in the Shindoku (The of the use of abbreviations in the Shindoku (The liturgical language - Japanese pronunciation of liturgical language - Japanese pronunciation of Chinese Characters)Chinese Characters)– ‘‘Bu’ standing in for Butsu meaning Buddha, we cannot Bu’ standing in for Butsu meaning Buddha, we cannot

just say Bu in English and have an understanding occur just say Bu in English and have an understanding occur automaticallyautomatically

– Where one syllable is used in a song may require several Where one syllable is used in a song may require several in Englishin English

MovementsMovements

• Clockwise directionClockwise direction

• BowingBowing– Regular bowRegular bow– Raihai – deep bow – forehead touching the floor, Raihai – deep bow – forehead touching the floor,

hands raised from the floor to above ears hands raised from the floor to above ears alongside headalongside head

• Hand placementHand placement– Gassho, never half Gassho – appreciation and Gassho, never half Gassho – appreciation and

respectrespect– Sashu – left hand over rightSashu – left hand over right

InstrumentsInstruments

• Kanamaru – large bellKanamaru – large bell• Inken – hand bellInken – hand bell• Kei – plank bellKei – plank bell• Mokusho – wooden drumMokusho – wooden drum• Mokugyo – fish drumMokugyo – fish drum• Taiko – large drumTaiko – large drum• Uchiwataiko – hand held drumUchiwataiko – hand held drum• Nyo – cymbals – generally only used for Shu Nyo – cymbals – generally only used for Shu

SanSan• Hachi – gong – generally only used for Shu Hachi – gong – generally only used for Shu

SanSan

Use of InstrumentsUse of Instruments

• Kanamaru – signal bell for everyone in hallKanamaru – signal bell for everyone in hall– 3 rings – Dai Sho Dai – hard, soft, hard3 rings – Dai Sho Dai – hard, soft, hard– 5 rings – Dai Dai Sho Sho Dai – hard, hard, soft, soft, hard (less 5 rings – Dai Dai Sho Sho Dai – hard, hard, soft, soft, hard (less

frequent)frequent)• Inken – signal bell for priests movements and singingInken – signal bell for priests movements and singing• Kei – signal bell for priests demarcating sections of service – same Kei – signal bell for priests demarcating sections of service – same

bell pattern for 3 rings, 2 or 1bell pattern for 3 rings, 2 or 1• Mokusho & Mokugyo – wooden percussion for keeping the rhythm Mokusho & Mokugyo – wooden percussion for keeping the rhythm

(Mokugyo is used during memorial services generally or for in (Mokugyo is used during memorial services generally or for in home visits by priests)home visits by priests)

• Taiko – large drumTaiko – large drum– Opening/Beginning – demonstrate to illustrateOpening/Beginning – demonstrate to illustrate– Accompanies the mokusho during service omitting first beatAccompanies the mokusho during service omitting first beat

• Uchiwataiko – used during service when chanting Odaimoku and Uchiwataiko – used during service when chanting Odaimoku and when marching – again first beat is omittedwhen marching – again first beat is omitted

Major/Main ShomyoMajor/Main Shomyo

• Dojoge – Invitation and welcome of Dojoge – Invitation and welcome of BuddhasBuddhas

• Sanborai – Offering/Praising Three Sanborai – Offering/Praising Three TreasuresTreasures

• Kirisange – Flower strewingKirisange – Flower strewing

• Sanki – Taking Refuge in the Three Sanki – Taking Refuge in the Three TreasuresTreasures

• Buso – Parting of the Buddhas, sending the Buso – Parting of the Buddhas, sending the Buddhas to where they wish to beBuddhas to where they wish to be

Special Occasion ShomyoSpecial Occasion Shomyo

• Shu San – special incantation directly from Shu San – special incantation directly from the Lotus Sutra, always pronounced or the Lotus Sutra, always pronounced or sung in Sanskrit – offered for protection sung in Sanskrit – offered for protection (portion of Atandai)(portion of Atandai)

• Taiyo – song of prayer used in special Taiyo – song of prayer used in special ceremonies, accompanied by special ceremonies, accompanied by special offerings such as incense and waterofferings such as incense and water– Versatile song as special sections are added or Versatile song as special sections are added or

left out depending upon the serviceleft out depending upon the service– Special sections or verses are added especially Special sections or verses are added especially

when a priest dieswhen a priest dies

Format of ShomyoFormat of Shomyo

• Solo introduction to each verseSolo introduction to each verse• Joint or group singing of ending of verseJoint or group singing of ending of verse• Sagaru - first note tone is approached graduallySagaru - first note tone is approached gradually

– Japanese consider it unpleasing to the ear to begin harshlyJapanese consider it unpleasing to the ear to begin harshly– Gradual even if only slightGradual even if only slight

• Embai – slight single note trill, hiccupEmbai – slight single note trill, hiccup• Oru – rapid drop to lower noteOru – rapid drop to lower note• Joe no kiri – “I” in Shu SanJoe no kiri – “I” in Shu San• Kirazu – no breath during pauseKirazu – no breath during pause• Breathing is very regulated – only at specific spotsBreathing is very regulated – only at specific spots

Other Ceremonial ItemsOther Ceremonial Items

• Chukei - fanChukei - fan

• Hossu – whiskHossu – whisk

• Egoro – handheld incense burnerEgoro – handheld incense burner

• Hanazra – flower petal trayHanazra – flower petal tray

Perhaps the oldest Buddhist Perhaps the oldest Buddhist SongSong• TisaranaTisarana• Sung the same in all countriesSung the same in all countries

Buddham saranam gacchamiBuddham saranam gacchamiDharmman saranam gacchamiDharmman saranam gacchamiSangham saranam gacchamiSangham saranam gacchami

I take refuge in the BuddhaI take refuge in the BuddhaI take refuge in the DharmaI take refuge in the DharmaI take refuge in the SanghaI take refuge in the Sangha

Demonstration of ShomyoDemonstration of Shomyo

SanBoRai

San Bo Rai – Musical San Bo Rai – Musical NotationNotation

San KiSan Ki

• English English translationtranslation

• Taking Taking RefugeRefuge

• A bit awkwardA bit awkward

Kiri SangeKiri Sange

• Flower tossingFlower tossing

• L – R – CL – R – C

Shu SanShu San

• DharaniDharani

• Magical Magical IncantationIncantation

• Only recited Only recited in Sanskritin Sanskrit

Robes - DressRobes - Dress

• Juban – short undershirtJuban – short undershirt• Hakue – longer undergarmentHakue – longer undergarment• Hakuma – pleated skirtHakuma – pleated skirt• Dofuku – informal robe over street clothesDofuku – informal robe over street clothes• Wagesa – folded kesa worn with DofukuWagesa – folded kesa worn with Dofuku• Kojie – formal robe with long sleevesKojie – formal robe with long sleeves• Kesa – Buddhas garment – 5 panel and 8 Kesa – Buddhas garment – 5 panel and 8

panelpanel• Zori – slipper shoesZori – slipper shoes• Tabi – special socksTabi – special socks