Materials: Berlin wood, embroidered tassels, drum cover

Size: Approximately 19 cm in diameter

Description:

The Dharma drum (double-headed skin drum) is a musical instrument in Tibetan Buddhism. It connects with mystical powers through the vibrations of sound. The two drum heads symbolize the non-duality between appearances (conventional truth) and emptiness (ultimate truth). The drum waist symbolizes the perfect union of wisdom and method. It is often tied with a colorful ribbon, symbolizing the Five Buddhas.

In Buddhist rituals, the Dharma drum and hand drum are important instruments. They not only serve practical functions, such as gathering people and controlling rhythm, but also carry profound religious symbolism, symbolizing the widespread spread of the Dharma, awakening sentient beings, and solemnizing the dharma. The sound of these drums, like the flow of the Dharma, helps believers enter a state of devotion. The following details the roles, origins, and stories associated with each, based on Buddhist scriptures, historical texts, and monastic traditions.

The Role of the Dharma Drum

The Dharma drum is a special instrument used during Buddhist rituals to gather monks for ceremonies such as chanting sutras, praising stanzas, and preaching. It consists of a large wooden frame covered with cowhide or sheepskin, reaching a diameter of over one meter. It is hung in the northeast corner of a Zen temple's Dharma Hall (or the northeast corner of the main hall), corresponding to the tea drum in the northwest corner. This corresponds to the "Gen" element in Buddhist architecture, symbolizing firmness and stability. During rituals, the powerful sound of the Dharma drum can be heard for miles, marking the beginning of ceremonies such as the abbot's entrance to the hall, the small meditation session, the general lecture, and the entrance to the room. The drum is usually played by the presiding monk, and different rhythms are used. For example, the three-beat drum (slow, fast, slow) is used for morning and evening prayers, while the fast drum (rapid, continuous beating) is used for gatherings, symbolizing the Dharma's dispelling of ignorance and awakening those who are lost in delusion.

In a broader religious context, the Dharma drum is not only a means of command; it also participates in ceremonies and chants. It complements other instruments, such as bells and conch shells, forming a complete sound system, embodying the solemn atmosphere of "musical offerings." Classical texts such as the Lotus Sutra (Introduction) list the beating of the Dharma drum alongside the blowing of the conch shell as symbols of a Dharma assembly. The Golden Light Sutra (Praise) even considers it one of the "three sacred symbols of a Dharma assembly," emphasizing its educational function: the sound of the drum is like "Dharma rain," nourishing the hearts of all beings.

The Origin and Story of the Dharma Drum

The origins of the Dharma drum can be traced back to the Buddha's lifetime (circa 5th century BC), originating from a practical need to meet the needs of the Sangha. According to the Vinaya and other disciplinary texts, early Buddhist monks used a ganchui (a wooden bell shaped like a wooden fish) to summon monks, but the sound was weak and could not be heard far, especially in crowded and noisy settings. The Buddha then instructed the use of large drums: "Strike the great Dharma drum to gather the monks." The deep, steady sound of the drum ensured the monks arrived on time. From then on, the drum became an indispensable part of Buddhist life, evolving from a gathering point to multiple uses, including time-telling and ceremonial. This led to the monastic custom of "morning bells and evening drums": the morning bell awakens the monks to the path, while the evening drum reminds them to sleep and reflect.

A famous story about this evolution in materials relates: During his inspection of the Sangha, the Buddha discovered that the drums used by the monks were mostly made of gold, silver, jade, and other ostentatious materials, inconsistent with the spirit of monastic practice. The Buddha sternly admonished, "You should use copper, iron, tile, or wood, covered with leather." Buddhist drums were thus replaced with simpler materials, such as wood covered with leather, symbolizing humility and equality. This story is mentioned in texts such as the Sanghiya Vinaya, emphasizing that Dharma instruments should serve the Dharma, not be used for ostentation. Historically, the Dharma drum was further institutionalized during the Tang and Song dynasties. The Tang Dynasty's "Essentials of Practicing Ceremonial Rituals" records that the drum sound signaled the beginning of fasting ceremonies, while Song Dynasty Zen monasteries standardized the rhythm of the drum. In art, the murals of the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang and the Tang Dynasty bronze Dharma drum (decorated with an eight-treasure lotus pattern) at Todai-ji Temple in Nara, Japan, bear witness to the spread of this culture. Li Bai's poem, "Building a great Dharma drum to bring the deaf back to their feet," and Wang Bo's stele, "Hanging the Dharma drum at the source of confusion," further transform this poem into a symbol for awakening lost beings.

The Role of the Hand Drum

The hand drum is a small, portable instrument primarily used for chanting and recitation in Buddhist ceremonies. Accompanied by instruments such as wooden fish, bells, and cymbals, it plays Buddhist music as a "musical offering," dignifying the venue and inspiring devout devotion in the faithful. It comes in a variety of shapes, including single-sided round or fan-shaped drums with handles. They are approximately 20-30 cm in diameter and are made of a wooden shell covered with leather for easy handholding. During rituals, hand drums control the rhythm. When not being struck, they are held in a "moon-holding hand" position (two hands, like holding a bright moon, with the index and middle fingers supporting the drum, the thumb held inward, and the remaining fingers encircled). When struck, the left hand supports the drum, while the right hand holds the mallet and strikes it lightly inward, creating a brisk and melodious rhythm. These instruments are often used during rituals, to dispel disasters, and to liberate the dead. Large hand drums can be hung on drum stands, while smaller and medium-sized ones are held by practitioners, symbolizing the flexible dissemination of the Dharma.

Hand drums are particularly distinctive in Tibetan Buddhism, such as the "Ajie drum" (made of human skin or bone), used in specific rituals. Its mournful sound serves as a wake-up call. However, in Chinese Buddhism, it emphasizes aesthetics and harmony, helping to maintain rhythm during chanting and prevent drowsiness.

The Origin and Story of the Hand Drum

The hand drum's origins also date back to the time of the Buddha. Early names for it include Yinggu, Shugu, and Jiegu, and they appear in texts such as the Middle Āgama Sutra, the Lotus Sutra, and the New Avatamsaka Sutra. According to the Five Divisions of Vinaya, the Buddha permitted the beating of hand drums to gather the congregation during the Uposatha (recitation of precepts), meals, and the sermon. This tradition, originating from Western musical traditions, was introduced to China via the Silk Road, where it was integrated with local drum music. Later, the hand drum expanded from a means of command to include chanting. The Tang Dynasty's "Summary of Buddhist Writings" records its use during meals ("drums are beaten when meals are served, bells are rung when the congregation gathers") and during sermons (the third of Indra's three drums).

The stories surrounding this technique are less legendary, but one Tibetan Buddhist legend is quite symbolic: hand drums are often made from the skin or bones of "virtuous lamas." Shaking them can communicate with Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and the gods, and the sound conveys compassion and awakens all beings. This tradition originated in Bon tradition and, after integration into Buddhism, was used in tantric rituals to emphasize impermanence and reincarnation. Another story of its origin is found in the Shurangama Sutra: the hand drum resembles a fish's eye, never closing, symbolizing day and night vigilance, reminding practitioners not to slack off. Historically, hand drums developed rapidly from the Six Dynasties to the Tang Dynasty, intertwining with Daoist rituals (such as the drum sounds in the "Tai Shang Dong Xuan Ling Bao Wu Yue Shen Fu") and becoming a core component of Chinese Buddhist music. While modern Taiwanese temples rarely use dedicated drum boards, hand drums are still used in rituals, symbolizing the democratization of Dharma instruments—accessible to all, and the Dharma's message accessible to all.

Conclusion

The Dharma drum and hand drum complement each other, collectively contributing to the sonic landscape of Buddhist ritual: the Dharma drum is like thunder, gathering the masses to proclaim the Dharma; the hand drum is like gentle rain, nourishing the heart. Their origins are both rooted in the Buddha's pragmatic wisdom, evolving from simple tools into deeply symbolic instruments. Their stories, through scripture and legend, convey warnings and solemn teachings. In today's temples, these drums not only perpetuate tradition but also integrate into modern Dharma ceremonies, reminding us that the sound of the drum, like the Buddha's words, knocks on the door to our inner selves.