Abstract

This paper examines the musical variations of the phet, a Tibetan word sung in chod dbyangs chants practiced specifically by the Kagyu sect. The repertoire of dbyangs chants, a genre of Tibetan Buddhist vocal music, is vast in Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The dbyangs composed for a particular text within a particular type of practice may have different versions according to different sects, monasteries, masters, or even time periods. The same dbyangs ritual within a monastery may also differ from one performer and performance to another. Uncovering the key formations and compositions of phet singing promises to open up new avenues for the exploration of Tibetan Buddhist vocal music.

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