Tibetan Buddhist Temple Cymbals: "Rol Mo"

These large cymbals, "rol mo," from Tibet are played by Buddhist monks. The cymbals have large central knobs through which thin leather handles are strung. They are played horizontally by striking their faces together. The cymbals provide rhythm for ritual chant.

In Buddhism, music, both instrumental and vocal chanting, has always been an important way to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Monks play music for the Buddha and their divinities. Monks can often be seen sitting cross-legged in rows facing each other, chanting and playing instruments.

Buddhism is a religion in which people follow the teachings of the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) who lived and taught about 2500 years ago. Buddhists do not believe in a personal creator god. Buddhists believe in the Four Noble Truths, including that life is suffering because we are attached to our desires, but that suffering and attachment can be ended by living according to the Noble Eight-fold Path (ex. right thinking, right working, right speaking). The holy book is called the Tripitaka. It contains the teachings of the Buddha. Buddhists believe in rebirth after death (reincarnation). Their goal is to become Enlightened, to achieve Nirvana, and break the cycle of birth and death.
Source:
http://orgs.usd.edu/nmm/Tibet/TibetNepal.html http://www.digital-daydreams.com/enc/world/show_country.php?id=40