Tairaku-An Zen Music Dojo-Virtual Buddhist Temple
Welcome to the Tairaku-An Zen Music Dojo-Virtual Buddhist Temple.
Tairaku-An is the name of my shakuhachi (Japanese Zen Bamboo Flute)
teaching studio. It is one of my goals to eventually have a small
temple where I can perform Honkyoku (Zen pieces) on a regular basis. It
recently occurred to me that until this can happen in reality it would
be possible to achieve this in the virtual world of the internet for
people from all over the world to experience.
In certain sects of Buddhism creation of Buddhist art is considered
meritorious and the results of these endeavors (paintings, sculptures,
songs, calligraphy) are venerated as religious objects. One of my heros
is Enku, itinerant Buddhist Sculpture of 17th Century Japan. His vow
was to create 120,000 Buddhist sculptures and statues during the course
of his lifetime. In fact over 6000 of his works have been identified to
date with more discovered in caves and temples yearly. For Enku this
fecund bout of creativity, more than artistic expression, was a
religious act akin to prayer. It is in this spirit that I offer you
these honkyoku.
Honkyoku are the songs or pieces of the Zen monks of numerous temples,
both extant and defunct, of Japan. In the modern world this music has
spread outside the temples and outside of Japan to the point where
anybody with access to a teacher can study and perform it. Sometimes it
is even used in television commercials and video games. Nevertheless
the music is religious in origin. Playing it ennobles the musician and
listening to it calms and centers the listener. A psychiatrist
approached me after a performance in Brussels and told me something
interesting. She said, “Whether you like the music or not it
is calming.” She thought the mere act of listening had an
involuntary but positive effect on the listener.
These honkyoku are offered freely with the intent of spreading
Buddhism. They are sonic manifestations of Buddhism. You are welcome to
download them and encouraged to send them to friends, link to them,
play them on your radio shows or whatever you wish. I will be posting
new honkyoku on a regular basis, so please return frequently.
Regards,
Brian Tairaku Ritchie
Brian Tairaku
Ritchie and Kiku Day playing 'Kyorei.' watch video
.. -- -- -- CDBABY LINK for BRIAN TAIRAKU RITCHIE: Ryoanji --.. -- CDBABY LINK for BRIAN TAIRAKU RITCHIE: Taimu --
.. -- -- CDBABY LINK for BRIAN TAIRAKU RITCHIE: Ryoanji --
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