(TibetanReview.net, Jun11’20) – An album set to music featuring mantras and teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is set to be released on the Tibetan spiritual leader’s 85th birthday on Jul 6.
The album, Inner World, consists of 11 tracks and has the Dalai Lama reciting sacred mantras and teachings with accompanying music performed on more than 30 instruments. It includes the Dalai Lama reciting the mantras of seven Buddhas, discussing topics like wisdom, courage, healing and children.
One track, Compassion, released in advance on Jun 9, is a version of one of the most famous Buddhist prayers.
Explaining his decision to make the album, which took five years to complete, the Dalai Lama has said: “Music has the potential to reach many more people with the message that the real source of happiness is warm-heartedness and a concern for others.
“The very purpose of my life is to serve as much as I can.”
New Zealander musician and practising Buddhist Junelle Kunin had broached the idea to the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama a few years ago after a futile search for the spiritual leader’s teachings paired with music as a stress-buster, reported the AP Jun 10. This set her down the path of creating this music album which took five years, along with her husband and fellow musician Abraham Kunin and guest artistes like Grammy-nominated sitar player Anoushka Shankar who appears on the track “Ama La”.
Net proceeds from the sales of the album will benefit Mind & Life Institute as well as Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning (SEE Learning), an international education programme developed by Emory University and the Dalai Lama.