Product Description

The Vajrayana, or Diamond Teachings, of Tibetan Buddhism encourage the celebration of life and the ardent pursuit of enlightenment. Cutting straight to the heart of these aims areVajra chants. These deeply moving songs of healing and protection are presented here with keyboard embellishments and occasional percussion.
Tibetan Buddhist musical master Lama Gyurme and French composer Jean-Philippe Rykiel offer eight different chants (and an extra "unplugged" version of one)on this follow-up to their beloved 1996 collaboration THE LAMA'S CHANT. This time around, Rykiel's keyboards and other musical accompaniment take a more prominent role. Dramatic synthesizer chords support Gyurme's bass tones, while the gentle strums of a kora (African harp) weave in and out of almost every line. Percussion livens up the healing "Medicine Buddha Mantra" and acoustic piano shows up in "Offering Chant". While Rykiel's music is often quite moving, Gyurme's vibrant incantations feel like a rain of blessings in and of themselves.

Track Listing

1. Rain Of Blessings
2. Offering Chant
3. Medicine Buddha Mantra
4. Sacred Words Of Liberation
5. Prayer To Sangye Menia
6. Chenrezi Pure Land Prayer
7. Six Syllable Mantra Of The White Lotus Lord
8. Refuge And Sevenfold Offering
9. Offering Chant

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53173 in Music
• Released on: 2000-03-06
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
The notion of setting eastern mantras and chants to western music is not a new one, just not a terribly good one. Whether becoming lost in the cultural tourism of ethno-beat dance music or given a frightfully respectful backing that adds nothing at all, either way the original impact is usually lost on the untrained ear. Lama Gyurme and Jean-Phillippe Rykiel have managed to meet somewhere in the middle and complement each other perfectly. A range of blessings delivered by a Tibetan monk in a voice of delicious depth and richness and intended to heal, purify, protect and liberate, the album is given added emotion by Rykiel's score. While tracks such as "Sacred Words Of Liberation" and "The Six Syllable Mantra Of The White Lotus Lord" aren't likely to be vying with Britney Spears for radio play, the combination of voice and music is one made in heaven. Almost classical in style (the composer's background) but speckled with modern technology, the backing helps take the quite extraordinary Gyurme to levels to which many have aimed but few have achieved. Hey, they even delve into the world of MTV speak with an "unplugged" version of "Offering Chant", a rather crass term for a quite beautiful duet of piano and voice. It may not totally cleanse your soul, but "Rain Of Blessing" certainly takes you to a better place, even if only for a short while. --Phil Udell

Customer Reviews

Beautiful...
First of all, I should say that I was tempted to give this a 4-star review. The chants are beautiful to listen to, but it would have been SO nice to have a phonetic version so we could sing along! Or even a proper translation, so we knew *exactly* what we were listening to, rather than just the rather vague comments on the sleeve notes.

However, I think this CD is too good for a 4-star review, especially considering the low price!

It does sound more like something you'd hear in a 'new age' shop rather than anything you might actually hear in Tibet, but the peacefulness and spirituality shine through. Normally I don't much like this ancient/modern kind of mix, but in this case it just works, and works beautifully.

I've found that it's equally wonderful for background music or 'proper' listening.

Definitely recommended!

This music is both sedating and uplifting- fantastic!
What can I say about this unique album? For starters, even though I cannot understand the chants of Lama Gyurne, the music sounds so profound and multilayered. The Lama's voice has been described as 'sonic' in that his voice resonates in a smooth and gentle fashion. I am astounded by the ample talent shown in both the Lama and the accompanying musician Jean Rekiel. Simply uplifting and tranquil!!

Outstanding
This results of this collaboration are nothing less than outstanding. For those practicing meditation, especially pureland, or for those who are seeking music which evokes peace and serenity, this collection is highly recommended. The music avoids excessive repetition of mantras, and is not simply text 'dressed up' with ornamental music (or weak synthesiser propped up with chants). Many of the chants (eg Chenrezig; Medicine Buddha) are not available on other collections, and the Lama has a depth of voice and consistency of tone which is offset well with the multi-layered and complex ambient music. The Chenrezig track, for instance, sweeps the listener into a beautiful and evocative 'soundscape' in which the soft but assertive chant anchors diverse and interweaved chords. More familiar mantras (eg Avalokitesvara) are given innovative and powerful interpretations. Of the many buddhist influenced or derived music or chanting compilations in my collection, this has absolute pride of place, without reservation.