Dharma Drum in Buddhism: Drumming for Mindfulness; Waking up to Buddhist Practice

Since the time of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Dharma Drum has been a central, vital and indispensable practice method. The drum beat tells us “Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!“ Wake up your sleepy mind. Wake up your clouded, obscured mind. Wake up to Enlightenment. What does the drum symbolize? Does the sound of the drum have benefits? How do we practice with a drum? What do we do if we don’t have a drum? How does its use vary from tradition to tradition? We try to answer these questions, and more, in this informative and helpful video. We’ll demonstrate the correct way to use the drum in different traditions. All traditions of Buddhism practice with drums, from the Elder traditions through to Mahayana, Chan and Zen and Vajrayana. The drum is a central focus in Chud, an advanced practice. In the Lotus Sutra, Chapter 12, it is written: “I beat upon the Dharma drum, announcing my search for Dharma in the four directions“ Several sutras mention the importance of drums, including, The Sutra of the Great Dharma Drum, and a chapter in the Golden Light Sutra “Confession of the Golden Drum.“ In Universal Worthy Sutra it is said the sound of the Dharma Drum can be heard at the Gate of Thunder. More than 2500 years ago, the drum was an important component of Buddhist practice. In Buddha’s time, the drum — and subsequently the gong — were used to gather everyone to announce the precepts, meal times, Dharma talks. Even today, in many monasteries, the monks or nuns ring the temple bell and play the drum to call the community for practice. Just listening to the Fish Drum, sometimes called the Sutra Drum, immediately focuses your mind. The sound is associated in our minds with temples and practice. The practice of drumming combines breath, sutra chant, or mantra or Nembutsu, with repetitious, punctuated wooden drum raps. The rhythm of the drum amplifies our mindfulness practice. The monotonous, hypnotic sound of the drum actually seems to anchor the mind in the present moment faster, with more clarity and riveting focus, than simply watching breath. Why is the drum so popular as a focus in Buddhism? As it was taught, before we are even born, the first sound everyone born into Samsara hears is the sound of our mother’s heartbeat. When we play the drum, our mind connects immediately to instinctive feelings of Mother, protection, safety, womb and peacefulness. This resonance is key in Buddhism. We use the drum to “wake the mind“ and to remain focused on mindfulness — one of Buddha’s most important practical methods of practice. #mahayana #vajrayana #tibetanbuddhism #dharmadrum #damaru #chod