"He who knows the secret of the sound knows the mystery of the whole universe"
                                                                                                                                                - Hazrat Inayat Khan in The Mysticism of Sound

Sound is all around us and its effects on humans cannot be denied. Sound has the ability to alter with our emotions, to make us happy or sad; ability to calm down our heart beats and also, to make us anxious.

Silence, too, is an important factor that influences our behavioural reactions. Silence and Sound are inter-related. One cannot understand the importance of silence without having sounds around. How ever soothing and calm silence is, too much of it can become unnerving too. One of the good combinations of silence and sounds can be experienced in the Buddhist monasteries. The play of silence and sound in their prayers and chanting leaves one mesmerized.

This research project studies the significance of sound and music in Buddhism, to know about the spiritual effect of sounds through chanting and musical instruments. It offers a way to know more about Buddhism through the medium of sounds. It also mentions variations observed in Buddhism, and draws out a comparison between the current practices and teachings of Buddha mentioned in various texts.

Interactive Artefact

This research project�s interactive artefact offers an opportunity to indulge with the different sounds observed during a Buddhist prayer. The artefact, which is in the form of a Box, offers an insight into the variations observed in Buddhism through sound as a medium. It is an attempt to be able to stir people to question or to know more about the existing practices. People are open to interpret the different sounds used in the installation and come up with their meanings and experiences.

Working of Interactive Artefact

As the user opens the cover of the box, he/ she can hear the sound of chanting. Each layer of the box has stencil of a musical instrument. When user traces that musical instrument, sound of that instrument gets added in the chanting. That layer is complete and the user moves on to the next layer with a different instrument. After each layer is complete, sound of all the instruments are added in the chanting. As the final layer is opened, all the sounds of instruments and chanting stop, and only the sound of breathing can be heard.

Making