Just came across a few youtubes on the subject of Early Buddhist Theravi Music:. Cutting and pasting from the descriptions below the videos here.
To revive and promote the ‘almost’ lost music theory and compositions of Buddhist masters, known as Theravi Sangīta Theras (wise elders), in remote parts of Pakistan, Afganistan & India. We have met two such theras, one of whom has now sadly passed away. These elders are also referred to as ‘Mausiqi-ke-Theray’ in Pakistan.
This music theory, originally known as ‘Theron ka Sangīta Vigyan’ (Literal meaning: Scientific music knowledge of the elders) now called ‘Theravi Music’, has been hidden from the masses for approximately two millennia, i.e. since the fall of the Buddhist Mauriyan empire which was accompanied with genocide of Buddhist monks and annihilation of Buddhist monasteries. With this came the decline of Buddhism and Buddhist thought throughout the very land (Jambudeep) in which the Great Buddha lived. Naturally, with this came the destruction of Buddhist music too.
Our twofold aim (both being two side of the same coin):
(1) To internationally spread/promote Buddha’s wisdom of compassion, justice, tolerance, peace and security through music as taught by the “Mausiqi ke Tharey”.
(2) To revive/ rekindle/promote the philosophy, psychology, beauty, mathematics and science behind …
Anyone who is interested in knowing more about Buddhatala with the maestros of Theravi Music, please PM me.
This is surprising to me because in Theravada Vinaya there is strong discouragement for monastics to not only perform music but even to listen or watch such perfomances is forbidden. In Bengal however, in Buddhist ceremonies, Tagore song (some specifically written to pay homage to the Buddha) and devotional songs like Buddha Kirtan are sung by lay people in front of monastics.
Link: Tisarana & Pancasila in Buddhataal and Theravi music
Rāga means “colour or hue” in Sanskrit but appears in Buddhist texts as a form of blemish, personal impurity or fundamental character affliction. As a philosophical concept, the term refers to greed, sensuality, desire or attachment to a sensory object. It includes any form of sensual passion as well as attachments to, over excitement and pleasure derived from objects of the senses. Some scholars render it as “craving”.
Psychological importance of arāgas: According to Theravi Scholars, rāga (or lobha) is a Buddhist concept of character affliction or poison referring to any form of greed, sensuality, lust, desire, craving or “attachment to a sensory object”. Purpose of Shastriya Sangeet Rāgas is to evoke or enhance certain desirable emotion/feelings; i.e. INTENTIONALLY created sensual ragas. In Shastriya sangeet, it is believed that this can only be achieved by using five or more notes.
Purpose of Theravi Music ARĀGAS:
To reduce arising of new emotions and to prevent escalation of any emotion that has already arisen. When this is the aim of a Theravi composer, musicians use less than five notes. That is why such a musical scale is called an a-rāga, i.e. a non- rāga.
Benefits of Arāgas:
The use of arāgas leads to a reduction in the intensity of emotions. The reduction of (or non reaction to) emotions lead to increase in calmness. The absence of emotions (or non-reaction to all emotions) lead to total calmness
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW3KSXSoNGk
All these are new information to me. Just posting for comments and discussion.