The Snow Lotus 180g LP

Musical interpretations of timeless Tibetan scriptures, with harp improvisations.

It is said that Buddhist melodies can be described as being strong, but not fierce; yielding, but not formless; pure, but not sterile; soothing, but not spiritless, and hearing them can help to purify the hearts of listeners. The lifestyle common to most people today is too busy and stressful. Every day, people run around seeming to have no place to take any kind of spiritual refuge; it can often become quite easy for them to become lost in themselves and lose their peace. However, the pure and clear sounding melodies presented here will hopefully provide a way to communicate the higher spiritual states of mind, and can help to enrich and re-energize your heart.

The teachings or Dharma of the Buddha mention music on many occasions. It is written in an important Buddhist text the Amitabha Sutra, that heavenly singing and chanting is heard all day and night in the world around us: as flowers softly rain down from the heavens; as birds produce beautiful and harmonious music; the blowing of a gentle breeze; "the rows of jeweled trees and jeweled nets give forth those who hear these sounds naturally bring forth in their hearts mindfulness of the Buddha, mindfulness of the Dharma..." all playing together in harmony, to guide sentient beings to enlightenment.

The music on this album invites you to think how beauty matters. In the Tibetan language there are a number of words to describe things of beauty. A common contemporary adjective in Lhasa Tibetan is snyingrjepo (something which invokes compassion). Other terms include mtsharsdug wonderous and dear), yid-du-'ong-ba (pleasant, take to heart), yid-dbang-'phrog-pa (ravish away one's mind), rnam-par-bkra-ba (very beautiful; clear and distinct), snyan-po (pleasant; sweet to hear), rna-war-snyan-pa (melodious; well-sounding). Most relate to visual beauty but the last two relate to sound, specifically music and spoken. In various ways these terms reflect the connection between beautiful things and the mind of the perceiver.

Join Rhymoi Music on a journey into the spiritual heart of Shangri-La, the most beautiful dream of man's soul for thousands of years; through snowcapped mountains and echoing gorges, across endless grass plateaus, and ancient monasteries; the beloved hometown that you have been seeking.