Buddhist Music

Here are two song with imagined lyrical details about Prince Siddhartha's decision to leave his wife, child and kingdom, as well as the training he underwent leading to his eventual experience of awakening.

Steve Tibbetts first encountered these Chö songs while living in Nepal and hearing the nuns at Nagi Gompa sing them from afar. He eventually recorded the nuns singing between 1994 and 1996.

Given that the vast majority of American Buddhists are converts and spend years circling around meditational deities such as Tārā, how do we listen to songs written with her mantra as the lyrics?

American Buddhist music has not had any breakout stars or even viral songs, but in the coming weeks I hope to introduce readers to more artists that are musically accomplished and lyrically devoted to the dharma.