Tingshas and Tibetan Cymbals: Uses, History and How to Play

What Is a Tingsha?

A tingsha (also written ting-shag) is a pair of small, domed metal cymbals joined by a leather cord threaded through a hole in the centre of each cymbal and knotted inside. You hold the strap letting both cymbals hang, then bring them together so their rims touch. The sound is clear and high, and it rings for a long time. They are sometimes called “Tibetan cymbals”, but that name also covers other instruments. This page is part of the guide to sound and bowls.

A History Partly Documented, Partly Anecdotal

Tingshas are cymbals used in Tibetan Buddhism. An art dealer mentions their presence in ninth-century manuscripts from Dunhuang and their use in Tibet since the thirteenth century, with a probable influence from older Indian forms; these dates come from a commercial description and we cite them with reservation. Museum and archive records, notably those of the British Library, describe cymbals joined by a leather cord and used by monks during prayers, to call spirits to offerings, or during confession ceremonies.

Traditionally, they therefore serve specific rites, for example offerings to “hungry ghosts”. They are, however, not considered part of temple orchestras, which use other, larger cymbals. In the West, tingshas are today often used together with singing bowls in meditation and “sound bath” sessions. It is worth keeping in mind this difference between their original religious use and their modern use.

How to Play a Tingsha

1. Hold the strap between your thumb and index finger, with both cymbals hanging freely and their rims facing each other.
2. Bring them together gently so the rims touch lightly, like a kiss: do not clap them.
3. Let the sound ring. It can last several seconds, sometimes half a minute.
4. To stop the sound, gently press the two cymbals against each other or place a finger on the rim.

By rubbing the rims against each other horizontally, you can also produce a continuous sound. The technique takes a few tries.

Modern Uses, Without Promises

• Start or end of a meditation: one strike of a tingsha to mark the transition.
• Pause during the day: a brief sound to pause, breathe and refocus.
• Time marker: in a breathing session, a tingsha to signal the phases.
• Gift: a small, light instrument, easy to slip into a bag.

No health effect has been demonstrated. The clear sound draws attention and serves as a signal: this is precisely what makes it a good tool for a personal ritual. For a discussion of the effects, see sound and meditation.

Other Related Instruments

See also the guide to singing bowls.

Care

• Wipe the cymbals with a soft, dry cloth after use.
• Avoid leaving them in humidity: brass and bronze oxidise.
• Do not polish them with abrasive products: this can change the sound and remove the patina.
• Check the strap regularly: replace it if it frays. A metal chain is sometimes used instead of leather; it slightly alters the sound.
• Store them in a pouch, separate from other metal objects.

Tingshas, Bowls, Chimes: Building a Small Sound Corner

A single tingsha is enough to begin, but many people combine it with other objects to build a small sound ritual. Here are a few simple combinations: a tingsha to open and close, a singing bowl for the middle of the session, and a moment of silence between the two. The contrast between the short, high sound of a tingsha and the deeper, sustained sound of a bowl is pleasant to the ear. Arrange the instruments within easy reach, on a tray or a cloth, so you do not have to search for them during the session.

Keep one rule: few sounds, well chosen. A session where everything rings at once tires rather than soothes. If you practice with others, announce the first sound softly, so that no one is startled. And think of the neighbours: a tingsha is very audible through a wall.

How to Choose

Choose by listening, if possible: a good tingsha gives a clear note with no background noise and no dissonance. Check that the two cymbals are even, the condition of the strap and the knot inside. A diameter of 5 to 7 cm suits personal use well; some models carry engraved designs (mantras, dragons, Buddhist symbols): these are decoration and do not improve the sound. Our models are in the singing bowls and tingshas section.

Frequently asked questions

Also read

The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Guide to sounds and bowls.