Materials: Berlin wood, embroidered tassels, drum set

Size: Approximately 23cm

Description:

The Role, Origin, and Story of the Dharma Drum and Hand Drum in Buddhist Ritual

In Buddhist rituals, the Dharma drum and hand drum are important instruments. They not only serve practical functions, such as gathering the congregation and regulating rhythm, but also carry profound religious symbolism, symbolizing the widespread spread of the Dharma, awakening sentient beings, and dignifying the monastery. The sound of these drums, like the flow of the Dharma, helps believers enter a state of devotion. The following details the role, origin, and stories of each instrument, drawing on Buddhist scriptures, historical documents, and monastic traditions.

The Role of the Dharma Drum

The Dharma drum is a dedicated instrument used to gather the congregation during Buddhist rituals, primarily used to summon monks to participate in rituals such as chanting, praising stanzas, and preaching. This large drum, constructed of a wooden frame covered with cowhide or sheepskin, can reach diameters exceeding 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, heard for miles, signals 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 hall. The drum is usually played by the monk in charge of reception, and different rhythms are employed. 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 broader religious contexts, the Dharma drum is not merely a means of command; it also participates in ceremonies and chants. In conjunction with bells, conch shells, and other ritual instruments, it forms a complete sound system, embodying the solemn atmosphere of "musical offerings." Classical texts such as the Lotus Sutra (Introduction) list the "beating of the great Dharma drum" alongside the "blowing of the great Dharma conch" as symbols of a Dharma assembly. The Golden Light Sutra (Praises) even considers it one of the "three sacred symbols of a Dharma assembly," emphasizing its educational function: the drum's sound 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), originally arising from the practical need to convene monastic gatherings. According to the Vinaya and other vinaya 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 a large drum: "Beat the great Dharma drum to gather the monks." The large drum's deep, steady sound ensured the monks arrived on time. Since then, drums have become an integral part of Buddhist life, evolving from a gathering point to multiple uses, including timekeeping and ceremonials, leading to the monastic custom of "morning bells and evening drums": the morning bell awakens the mind to practice, while the evening drum reminds the mind to rest and reflect.

A famous story tells of this evolution in materials: 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, incompatible with the monastic spirit. He sternly admonished, "You should use copper, iron, tile, or wood, covered with leather." Buddhist drums were thus repurposed using simpler materials, such as wood covered with leather, to symbolize humility and equality. This story is found in the Sanghiya Vinaya and other texts, emphasizing that instruments should serve the Dharma rather than be ostentatious. Historically, the Dharma drum became further institutionalized during the Tang and Song dynasties. The Tang Dynasty's "Essentials of Practicing Ceremonial Rituals" records that the drumbeats signaled the beginning of fasting ceremonies, and Song Dynasty Zen monasteries standardized the rhythm of the drums. Artistically, 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 its cultural spread. Li Bai's poem, "Build a great Dharma drum to bring the deaf back to the Dharma," and Wang Bo's stele, "Hang the Dharma drum at the source of confusion," further transform the poem into a symbol for awakening lost beings.

The Role of the Hand Drum

The hand drum is a small, portable instrument primarily used in Buddhist chanting and recitation. It is accompanied by instruments such as wooden fish, bells, and cymbals in Buddhist music, serving as a "musical offering," solemnizing the temple and inspiring the devout hearts of believers. It comes in a variety of shapes, including single-sided round or fan-shaped drums with handles, approximately 20-30 cm in diameter. Made of a wooden shell covered with leather, it is easy to hold. During rituals, the hand drum controls the rhythm: when not struck, it is held in the "moon-holding hand" position (two hands, like holding a bright moon, with the index and middle fingers supporting the drum, the thumb gripped inward, and the remaining fingers encircled). When struck, the left hand supports the drum, while the right hand holds the mallet and strikes lightly inward, creating a brisk and melodious beat. It is commonly used during rituals, such as during processions, to ward off 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 avoid 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 included the "ying drum," "shu drum," and "jie drum," and are found in texts such as the Middle Āgama Sūtra, the Lotus Sutra, and the New Avatamsaka Sutra. According to the Five Divisions of Vinaya, the Buddha permitted the use of hand drums to gather people during Uposatha (recitation of precepts), meals, and the Dharma. Derived from Western musical traditions, it was introduced to China via the Silk Road, where it was integrated with local drum music. Later, the hand drum expanded from a tool for commanding to a means of chanting. The Tang Dynasty's "Shishi Yaolan" records its use at mealtimes ("beat the drum when the meal is served, ring the bell when the crowd gathers") and during sermons (the third of the three drums of Indra).

The stories surrounding this are less legendary, but one Tibetan Buddhist legend is quite symbolic: it is said that the hand drum was often made from the skin or bones of a "virtuous lama." Shaking it could communicate with Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and the heavens, and the sound could convey compassion and awaken all beings. This tradition originated in Bon tradition and, after integration into Buddhism, was used in tantric rituals emphasizing impermanence and reincarnation. Another origin story is found in the "Lingyun Sutra": the hand drum resembles a fish's eye that never closes, symbolizing day and night vigilance, reminding practitioners not to slack off. Historically, the hand drum developed rapidly from the Six Dynasties to the Tang Dynasty, interacting with Taoist rituals (such as the drum sounds in the "Tai Shang Dong Xuan Ling Bao Wu Yue Shen Fu"), becoming a core part of Chinese Buddhist music. While modern Taiwanese temples rarely use dedicated drums, hand drums remain a staple in Buddhist rituals, symbolizing the democratization of Dharma instruments—accessible to all, 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, like thunder, unites the congregation and proclaims the Dharma; the hand drum, like gentle rain, nourishes 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 contemporary 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.