Tingsha
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Tibetan tingsha bells (Tibetan: ཏིང་ཤགས་; Wylie: ting-shags) are small cymbals used in prayer and rituals by Tibetan Buddhist monks. Two cymbals are joined together by a leather strap or chain. The cymbals are struck together producing a clear and high pitched tone. Sizes range from 2.5" - 4" diameter.
In high quality tingsha pairs, both cymbals will match - the tone is identical or nearly identical. Most tingsha, however, are not perfectly matched and each produces a distinctly different tone. Some people believe that this is done on purpose and that the different tones provide a dissonant "wake up call." However, that is not the case and fine quality examples are perfectly matched.
Antique tingsha are quite rare and can be quite expensive. Matched pairs are scarce and often single cymbals will be sold with a bone or piece of wood attached, so the instrument is still functional even though the mating cymbal has been lost.
Traditionally, tingsha are used as part of offerings to "hungry ghosts," spirits who are need help finding their way. Today, tingsha are used along with singing bowls and other instruments in meditation, music and sound healing.
