Tingsha Om Namah Shivaya

Tingsha cymbals with a Hindu Ohm symbol decoration, symbolizing the sound of the universe, and a lotus pattern, representing change.

Tingshas (ding-sha, cymbals) are musical gifts used in spiritual rituals and meditation at regular intervals to maintain concentration. Musical gifts are common in pujas (prayer rituals) that use a variety of instruments, including bells, drums, cymbals, and horns. Musical gifts are an integral part of many Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu rituals, and are still used today by these groups and by laypeople alike. They are used in Feng Shui, meditation, purification, healing, and balancing.

What can I use tingsha for?: When you strike the cymbals together, they emit a beautiful, clear, high-pitched sound that purifies the air and creates an amazing silence. The sparkling sound of the tingsha immediately resonates in the human heart. Their purpose is to call us to awareness, remind us of who we are, and identify our priorities in this often turbulent and misleading world. When hung horizontally and struck together, a vibrating sound wave seems to pass between them, creating a powerful and evocative sound.

Tingshos and Feng Shui: Tingshos are also used in Feng Shui to cleanse the energy of a room and "open" the space by playing Tingshos in the four corners of the room. This is an excellent way to cleanse the energy when, for example, burning incense is not possible or appropriate.

Tingshas and Healing Sound: By healing or balancing the aura, tingshas are also used to define the beginning and end of meditation. Some say that using tingshas is like an invitation: it brings our awareness into the present moment.

Storing Tingshas: As with many altar gifts, we recommend wrapping them in cloth when not in use or storing them in a special brocade Tingsha storage case.

Tingsha Decoration: The casting may include decoration on the tops of the cymbals – usually dragons, the mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” or Buddhist symbols such as the Tibetan eight auspicious signs. However, many tingshas are simple and radiate through the beauty of the sound.

Composition of Tingsha: Each tingsha is individually sand cast and typically made primarily of brass (a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper and zinc) or bronze (an alloy of copper and tin). Both sound beautifully, but bronze cymbals produce an even stronger harmonic resonance that vibrates deeper into the fibers of each soul.