Tibetan Ting-Sha, Sacred Sound For Spiritual Growth The smooth sound of the Tibetan hand cymbals known as ting-sha is designed to resonate with the human heart summoning our awareness of who we are and our purpose for b-e-i-n-g. The word “ting” means to sound the metal. The word “sha” means to bang or suspend sound. Thus the meaning is typically “banging cymbals or suspended sound” likened to a prolonged musical instrument. The ting-sha was used in Tibetan rituals to help both the dead and tormented spirits. No lessons are required to play the ting-sha. When the ting-sha is struck the sound is heard in the key of E major for about 12 seconds. Each ting-sha is made of pure bronze alloy of copper and tin, with a white metal component of zinc and nickel. They are usually cast in groups of four. They are tuned by hammering around the thick outer rim of the ting-sha to create a perfectly matching pitch for each pair. The ting-sha is designed to produce an ethereal range of high harmonic notes or overtones echoing the effects of the open larynx or voice box. The Tibetan signing bowls are produced under similar conditions. For chanting, mantra recitation and dance rhythms, the ting-sha are repeatedly clashed together in a face to face manner resembling hand cymbals, swinging and clanging suspended by their leather thong, struck against each other or struck with a wooden striker. The ting-sha can also be played individually as well. The symbols or designs that adorn the cymbals signify the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism including a lotus design of eight petals on their central bosses. The ting-sha is modeled after the original Indian talam (small brass finger cymbals traditionally used to accompany the singing of Hindu devotional songs (kirtans) and prayers (bhajans). These Eight Auspicious Symbols are represented by the supreme sovereignty of the Buddha’s teachings. The eight symbolic objects are aligned with the eight vital organs of the body. The symbols are: The white parasol, which represents the spleen or the head in Tibetan teachings. This royal symbol exudes protection from the sun, suffering, obstacles, illnesses and harmful forces. The parasol’s white dome represents wisdom and its hanging valances represent the various methods of compassion or skillful means. The golden treasure vase represents the stomach or the neck in Tibetan teachings. It symbolizes inexhaustible wealth of the Buddha’s teachings and function to spread abundance appeasing the indigenous spirits who abide in these places. The pair of golden fish represents the kidneys or the eyes in Tibetan teachings. Originally this symbol served as an ancient symbol of two great sacred rivers of India, the Ganges and Yamuna. The rivers represent two main subsidiary channels or psychic nerves of the subtle energy body, which begin in the nostrils and carry the rhythms of breath or energy. This symbol depicts fidelity and wealth. The lotus represents the liver or the tongue in Tibetan teachings. This symbols exudes the blossoming of all positive and wholesome activities, which are preformed with complete freedom from the faults and impediments of worldly existence. The victory banner symbolizes the lungs or the body in Tibetan teachings. This symbol exudes a military standard of ancient Indian warfare and the Buddha’s triumph over all aggression. The white conch shell represents the gallbladder or speech in Tibetan teachings. The white conch shell, which spirals towards the right, denotes a proclamation of valor and victory in warfare. This shell serves to summon the Gods and to banish all evil spirits, harmful creatures and natural disasters. The endless knot or lucky diagram represents the intestines or the mind in Tibetan teachings. This knot adorns the breast as a symbol of love and devotion. It symbolizes longevity, continuity, love and harmony. This symbol signifies good fortune, success or prosperity, which is integrated into compassion and wisdom of an enlightened mind. The golden wheel, which symbolizes the heart or the limbs in Tibetan teachings, denotes ethics, wisdom and meditation, which cultivates discriminating awareness that can cut through ignorance. According to the Buddhist tradition, these Eight Auspicious Symbols represent the offerings presented to Shakyamuni Buddha upon becoming enlightened. They represent “Eightfold Noble Path” that leads to the cessation of suffering and enlightenment. This path consists of cultivating truthful view or understanding, thought, analysis, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration, and meditative stability. The ting-sha is inscribed on the underside with four cardinal directions polished to reveal the three sacred Tibetan syllables Om A Hum, and a fourth character that functions as a full stop. These “Three Syllables” are defined and governed in an anticlockwise sequence as enlightened body (Om), speech (A), and mind (Hum). The three-mantra syllables correspond to the spiritual concept of purity in deed (body), word (speech) and thought (mind). These mantra syllables can be visualized in color at their energy centers. These energy centers are the crown of the head (white Om), the throat (red A), and the heart (blue Hum). These mantra empower the central body. The syllables pacify the three poisons of ignorance (white Om), desire (red A) and aggression (blue Hum) into three enlightened remedial qualities of wisdom, compassion and power. The fourth character symbol is represented by two small circles separated by a short horizontal line is known as ter-shay. This symbol is found at the end of a mantra and indicates terma or hidden treasure text. Traditionally the ting-sha has been used in rituals including guidance prayers and food offerings for the dead, burned food and water offerings for the hungry ghosts, or tormented and/or wandering spirits.