Tingshas have long been used for ritual purposes by Buddhist monks, nuns, yogis and yoginis. When the two cymbal-shaped metal disks are struck together each produces a ringing sound of very slightly differing pitch. The combined effect gives rise to the unique 'shimmering' quality to the sound.
In Tibetan Buddhist practice tingshas are struck together at right-angles; this produces a loud penetrating sound.
Outside of Tibetan Buddhism, shamanic use of tingshas also includes clearing space of negative energies and healing or balancing auric fields. They can also be used to define the beginning and end of a meditation session.
Tingshas are made from an alloy of 5 or 7 metals which originally included meteorite. Today, iron is used as a substitute for this due to meteors being rather scarce! The alloy is cast and turned to obtain their true shape and pure sound. The casting may include decoration of the upper surfaces - usually depicting dragons or the eight auspicious symbols (see section Aspects of Tibetan Buddhism). The undersurfaces will often be imprinted with Tibetan characters for Om Ah Hung which represents enlightened body, speech and mind..
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