Where Did the Singing Bowls Originate?

Most people believe that singing bowls where broughtwhat is the reason for the singing? There is no solid
by the Buddha, Padmasambhava, when he crossedproof to support the two theories so they cannot
the Himalayas from India to Tibet. With it, he alsoidentify who really produced the first singing bowls.
brought the teachings of the Buddha but the singingTraditionally, seven (7) various metals are used to
bowls that were brought with it were not used formake these bowls. These seven metals symbolize the
religious practices. In fact, the singing bowls were useddifferent planets in the solar system. The mixture of
for begging and for eating food. The monasteries usedthe different quantities of metals would determine the
it as a chalice during those times. Information about thesound that will be produced by them. The different
production of the singing bowls extends throughoutmetals will be merged to form an alloy. This alloy will
Asia where trade routes have been established.be allowed to cool before it is beaten to form into a
The reason behind the production of the thesebowl shape. But, the number of metals used to make
artifacts has not yet been established until now. If theythem may differ. It can have more or less than the
were not produced for religious practices then whyseven (7) metals that are traditionally used to make it.
were they made? One theory is that traveling smithsThis in turn supports the theory that the traveling
are the one responsible for making them, gatheringsmiths made the bowls instead of the monks. Since
materials during their travel which they use to makethe traveling smiths would only use metals that are
the singing bowls. Another theory proposes that theavailable to them during their travel. This would also
monks were responsible for its production. If the bowlsexplain why the composition of each bowl is different
were made by monks why is it used just for eatingfrom one another.
and not for religious practices? Another question is