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What is Zen? - Music
What is Zen?MusicGoeika 御詠歌
The goeika is a form of Japanese Buddhist music consisting of short poems of praise written in the
hiragana syllabary and sung to the accompaniment of hand bells and small metal gongs.
Goeika performances are common at Obon celebrations; ceremonies marking the Buddha’s birth (Tanjo-e),
enlightenment (Jodo-e), and passing into Nirvana (Nehan-e); and ceremonies honoring the founders of
temples. Often the poems talk of the sufferings and pleasures of ordinary life. When performing the
goeika the person’s heart should be as free as possible of distracting thoughts and attachments.
Samples of goeika chanting may be heard at the following sites:
MP3 (MPEG1 Audio Layer-3)WMA (Windows Media Audio)
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