Please enjoy the following selection of mantras from the Rubin Museum exhibition, The World Is Sound. The first track, Collective OM, features the voices of over 10,000 Rubin visitors chanting the sacred syllable OM. Arranged by the exhibition’s acoustic designer, Daniel Neumann, Collective OM aurally enfolds visitors when they first enter the museum through its main entrance.

The next three tracks are mantras recorded by Lama Rapjee Wangchuk, Lama Ugen Rongdrol Palden, and Lama Jigmey Tenzin of the Namdroling Nyingmapa monastery in Arlikumari, Karnataka, India and the Palyul Retreat Center in McDonough, NY. In the exhibition, these mantras are paired with objects that depict associated deities.

Collective OmCollective Om

Voices: Visitors to the Rubin Museum of Art; sound design: Daniel Neumann; 2017, Audio Installation, Rubin Museum of Art.

Heart Sutra (Mantra)Heart Sutra (Mantra)

Recording by Lama Ugen Rongdrol Palden, Lama Rapjee Wangchuk, and Lama Jigmey Tenzin of Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery, Arlikumari, Karnataka, India and Palyul Retreat Center, McDonough, NY, Audio Installation, Rubin Museum of Art

OM Mani Padme Hum (Mantra)OM Mani Padme Hum (Mantra)

Recording byLama Ugen Rongdrol Palden, Lama Rapjee Wangchuk, and Lama Jigmey Tenzin of Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery, Arlikumari, Karnataka, India and Palyul Retreat Center, McDonough, NY, Audio Installation, Rubin Museum of Art.

Vajrayogini (Mantra)Vajrayogini (Mantra)

Recording by Lama Ugen Rongdrol Palden, Lama Rapjee Wangchuk, and Lama Jigmey Tenzin of Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery, Arlikumari, Karnataka, India and Palyul Retreat Center, McDonough, NY, Audio Installation, Rubin Museum of Art.

Published July 25, 2017

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