We’re working on a fun new article about the (very!) wide and surprising world of Buddhist-inspired music, whether rock, metal, jazz, hip-hop, punk… whatever! So we want to ask: do you have a favorite dharma-song?
To get things started, our own Rod Meade Sperry nominates “Aerials,” the 2001 hit by System of a Down, which seems to him to be a fairly close read of a teaching or two — for example, this bit about waterfalls — by the famed 20th-century Zen master Shunryu Suzuki Roshi.
We asked our Facebook fans for their suggestions, and got some great responses. See them here, and add your own.Jim O. recommends “Summer in Siam,” by the Pogues and, of course, “Shambala” by the Beastie Boys. Frank Jude Boccio pointed out a bunch of songs by Akron/Family — “There’s So Many Colors,” “Gone Beyond,” and “Phenomena.” Laura I. suggests “Strangers,” by the Kinks. Our friends at the Mindfulness Bell also weighed in, suggesting the music of Brother Chi Sing, who’s a student of Thich Nhat Hanh, and the album Peace Sounds, recorded by a group of young British Buddhists.
We really like everything we’ve heard so far, but there are lots more dharma-songs out there. So what are some of your favorites? Tell us in the comments.
And for more from the world of Buddhist music, check out all our previous coverage, here.
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Vipassana by Macklemore
Inhale Deep by Macklemore
"Tomorrow Never Knows" by The Beatles.
Stay Human ~ Michela Franti and Spearhead
Amazing Life ~ Jem
Send your Love ~Sting
The One Who Loves You the Most ~ Brett Dennen
How to Disappear Completely – Radiohead ("I'm not here, this isn't happening")
This Velvet Glove – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Anthem – Leonard Cohen
Alive in the World – Jackson Browne
The Age of Miracles – Mary Chapin Carpenter
Through Your Hands – John Hiatt
Learn to be Still – The Eagles
So Quiet in Here – Van Morrison
How about these:
[youtube 9GodaX7WLNM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GodaX7WLNM youtube]
[youtube LbjgEFqeQ3g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbjgEFqeQ3g youtube]