Tibetan Cymbals – Tingsha 6 cm, plain (202 g)

Kunsang

"I strike the cymbals before I meditate – and sometimes afterwards. This sound does something to the space. It does something to me. Everything that was before falls away. And then I can begin."

Tibetan Cymbals – Tingsha 6 cm, polished (202 g)

These Tingsha cymbals have a diameter of 6 cm and weigh 202 grams – these are large, heavy cymbals that produce a full, deep sound. The surface is polished blank, without engraving or ornamentation: pure brass in a warm gold tone, with a fine grooved ring on the outer edge. The two cymbals are connected with a classic black leather strap.

6 cm diameter for Tingsha means a long, calm sustain. The larger the cymbal, the deeper and longer the tone resonates after being struck – sometimes up to 20–30 seconds. It is precisely this long decay that many people find so calming: you strike it, and then you simply listen as the sound slowly fades.

What are Tingsha cymbals?

Tingsha (Tibetan: ཏིང་ཤགས) are a pair of small metal cymbals connected by a strap and struck together. They are traditionally made of a special metal alloy – usually bronze or brass, sometimes with traces of silver, iron, or other metals – and have been used in Buddhist practice in Tibet for centuries: to mark the beginning and end of a meditation, to purify the space before a ceremony, or simply as a transition between two moments of the day.

Meaning & Application

In the Tibetan tradition, cymbals have various functions – they mark transitions, call attention, and help to collect the mind. They are used at the beginning of a meditation to signal to body and mind: something new is beginning now. And at the end, to accompany the transition back into everyday life.

But Tingsha are not just for meditation. Many people place them on their desks, in the kitchen, in the bedroom – and strike them when they want to pause briefly. This one sound can sometimes do more than ten minutes of contemplation.

Application – how to use them

• Hold the leather strap in one hand, with both cymbals hanging freely downwards.
• Lightly strike the edges of the two cymbals against each other – not the flat sides, but the edges.
• Release immediately and let the sound resonate – the less you touch the cymbals afterwards, the longer the tone will sustain.
• For a softer sound, strike at an angle; for a clearer, brighter tone, strike edge to edge directly.

Care

• Polished cymbals can tarnish over time – this is normal and not a defect.
• Freshen up with a soft cloth and some brass polish if desired – or simply leave it as is, the patina has its own character.
• Do not immerse in water; keep leather strap dry.

Come by Kramgasse 63 in Bern – I'll be happy to strike the cymbals for you live so you can hear the sound for yourself. Or order them conveniently online.