Music plays a large role in the religion of Buddhism. Most Buddhist practices involve chant in some form, and some also make use of instrumental music and even dance. Music can act as an offering to the Buddha, as a means of memorizing Buddhist texts, and as a form of personal cultivation or meditation. Music is mentioned throughout Buddhist writings such as “The Amitabha Sutra”, the scripture mentions how heavenly singing and chanting can be heard in the Pure Land, as mandarava flowers softly rain down from the sky. In the Pure Land, one can always hear birds making beautiful, harmonious music. Animated by a gentle breeze, the movements of jewel trees ring out in melodious chords, as if thousands of gentle tunes are being performed in harmony. Upon hearing their song, those present naturally recollect the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. In another Buddhist text, the “Great Perfection of Wisdom Treatise”, states that “For bodhisattvas to purify the Buddha land, they seek out beautiful music, wishing that sentient beings in that land can hear the music and soften their hearts, making them easier to transform. This is why music is given as an offering to the Buddha.” Music is very important to the religion of Buddhism as is shown how it is mentioned several times throughout its scriptures and writing. Music plays a variety of roles such as calming one’s mind and allowing the disciples to open their hearts to the teaching of Buddha. The chant/music of Buddhism is very synchronized. Each chant performed by the disciple are in sync and performed in a similar vocal tone. The chat starts off with a chime from a bell, the sound of the bell starts off loud and clear and then starts to gradually fade. We can also hear a drum-like instrument behind the voice being hit while the chant is being performed. Occasionally we hear a bell-like instrument ringing behind the voices. This music expresses religious belief because it incorporates the chant of the mantras. Instead of using lyrics, the Buddhists incorporate mantras so that they are able to memorize and better understand them. 

The religion I am choosing to talk about is Catholicism. This is a religion that I am familiar with, having gone to many masses at a Catholic church and receiving sacraments. Music is used in this religion. Like what we looked at in class the other day, Catholic churches would use chants. First, was the Gregorian chant which was the first notated piece of music. In these chants, there is no steady meter and other scales were used, not just major and minor. There are many different forms of chants, but they, “each [use] the human voice to sound a sacred text on an occasion of great solemnity,” (394). Music is played during masses at the church, during funerals, and during weddings at the church. A piece of music associated with my religion is “Ave Maria.” Today, this is a song used in Catholicism and in prayer at many funerals, especially in the United States. Musically speaking, it has a more complex chord in comparison with other songs and is written in B major. It has a polyphonic texture and starts in a duple meter but then shifts to a triple meter, but ends up back in a duple meter. Just like the purpose of the chants, this song is meant to give a sense of peace. It expresses the religious idea of being at peace after death. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpYGgtrMTYs

Religion: Hinduism 

How Is Music Used In Hinduism: Music in Hinduism has significant importance. Music offers Hindus a way to express their love for God, as well as offer prayers. It helps takes Hindus a step closer to finding their way back to God. Hindus sing songs to God while doing puja/hawan, when there is a religious festival, when the swami or pandit (priest), reads from the holy book(s), etc. 

Link: श्री हनुमान चालीसा Hanuman Chalisa I GULSHAN KUMAR I HARIHARAN, Full HD Video, Shree Hanuman Chalisa 

Song/Music: The musical piece that I chose is the Hanuman Chalisa. The Hanuman Chalisa is one of the most recited Bhajans (Religious song/prayer) in the Hindu Religion. 

Lord Hanuman is one of the most strong and most powerful Hindu Gods and is admired by Hindus across the world. Lord Hanuman was granted a boon of immortality, meaning Lord Hanuman is still amongst us today. Lord Hanuman also played a great role in the Ramayana (The Story of Lord Rama and his battle with Ravana, a demon). When Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya, Lord Rama asked Lord Hanuman to stay on Earth till the end and asked him to work for the welfare of the people. 

Therefore the Hanuman Chalisa is meant to benefit Hindu Devotees. By chanting the Hanuman Chalisa, Lord Hanuman himself will come to solve your problems. The Chalisa is meant to free us from our problems, fulfill our wishes, and keep/protect Hindus from evil forces. Lord Hanuman and the Hanuman Chalisa give Hindus the strength and courage to face challenges to their core. 

One musical element that I would like to focus on is the melody. For most Hindu Bhajans, the melody stays the same, except for when the singer is not singing, when there is a pause in singing the sacred text. The same thing happens here in the Hanuman Chalisa. Every time the singer takes a pause, there is a slight change to the melody when a stringed instrument, maybe a sitar, comes in. It adds substance to the Bhajan, and the melody only alters when the singer takes a pause, and this happens in most likely every Bhajan.