3Gems Band! Our New Musical Group Celebrates the Three Jewels: The Power of Devotion! – Buddha Weekly: Buddhist Practices, Mindfulness, Meditation

Among all the methods recommended by Buddha and the lineage of teacher’s who followed, the most important of practices is Devotion and praise. Song, especially, was the shining practice of the great Yogis, Milarepa, Shabkar and countless others who attained realizations.

Even in advanced yoga practices of Highest Yoga Tantras found in the Vajrayana, practice begins and ends with devotion. Why? To generate merit and purify negative karma. Celebrating, praising and honoring the Three Jewels is a complete practice in itself, accumulating vast merit and joy.

With this in mind, carrying on our mission of supporting Dharma practitioners, we’re delighted to announce our new musical group, 3Gems, the band, led by songwriter Kongchok Namkha.

The 3Gems mission is simple. To express, with faithful and inspirational sound our sincere enthusiastic devotion for the Three Jewels, otherwise known as 3 Gems or Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

These songs will release first to Patrons and Supporting Members, and shortly after to streaming, and finally to video adaptions on Buddha Weekly Youtube Channel! (Pictured is single cover for Tara, Watch Over Me, a modern adaption of the ancient Song of Longing for Tara.)

This is a separate mission from the Buddha Weekly band, spearheaded by Hrishikesh Sonar — who faithfully chant sacred Sanskrit mantras.

With the 3Gems band, we take a lighter approach, a celebratory and joyous approach. In ancient times Milarepa, Yogi Shabkar and many other sages sang songs as a practice, celebrating the three jewels and the Buddhas, Dharma, Sangha, and their Gurus.

Our first series of singles, which will later appear in an album on streaming services will include our already recorded songs of devotion:

• Manjushri Light of Wisdom (with mantra)
• Rescuer of 6 Worlds Avalokiteshvara (with mantra)
• Vajrapani Hero (with mantra)
• Tara, Watch Over Me (inspired by an ancient song) 
• Amitabha Infinite Light (with Namo praises!)
• 21 Praises to Tara (song-adaption of Sanskrit praise)
• and band-favorite: 8 Protections Tara Praise (based on an ancient praise of Tara Varahi.)