Prevalently, music forms an integral part of each and every religious ceremony. Evidently, almost all the dominations have espoused the imperativeness of music in various religious functions. A notable fact is that despite various denominations agree on the pivotal role of music, the nature and type of music each denomination play has a complete variation. The primary reason for the mentioned variation is the fact that each religious group has distinct principles that govern the usage of music. Similarly, a myriad number of the religious group has totally different perspective when it comes to religious music. As a result of this, each religious group has come up with a distinct sacred music, leading to variation. The paper seeks to compare the music used in the catholic mass and the Buddhist temple rites.
Catholic Church has embraced and ingrained the usage of musical instruments in the mass function. The Christians invariably perceive the usage of the instrument as one way of exalting the God. A notable fact is that the mentioned church has put forth guidance on the level of frequency of musical instruments. In view of the above, the church has permitted a low frequency of musical instruments. According to the Church, high-frequency emanates noise which is unacceptable in the holy and sacred place. Interesting to mention is that the leadership of the Church is of the opinion that noisy music snatch away the God’s blessings. Consequently, destructive music instrument cannot find its way in the church (Werner 139). Secondly, Catholic Church incessantly prohibits the usage of a certain type of wind musical instruments. Prevalently, wind musical instruments such as trumpets, flutes and tambourines have been completely banned in the church due their noisy nature. Typically, not only the mentioned wind instrument has been exterminated but the entire musical instruments that produce noise. On the contrary, the Buddhist religion has a different perception towards the use of musical instruments that tend to generate noise. The fact is, in Buddhist religion, the sacred place must be subjected to both high frequency and noisy musical instruments. Evidently, the musical instruments used by Buddhism religion include, flute, bells, gong and the conical wooden oboe. From the mentioned instruments, the noisy wind instruments are among the instruments used in Buddhism region, unlike the Catholic Church.
Typically, the Catholic Church perceives both music and dancing as meager section of the liturgy. In grounding for the liturgy, both music and dance are epochal. Similarly, before the liturgy the presence of music is very imperative (Werner 21). Plausibly, during the mass, there is immense regulation and control of the music to ensure the presence of God is pervasive throughout the sermon and worship. Conversely, in the Buddhist religion, both music and dance have been highly valued. Interesting to note is the fact that the said religion attribute more regard to music than the sermon. According to the religion, The Most High invariably values music accompanied by dancing. The sermon forms meager part of worship. Furthermore, the mentioned religion strongly believes that the best way to worship is through dancing. Dance, therefore, is the cornerstone in the Buddhist religion ceremony. In view of the above, music controls the larger part of the worshipping time
In Catholic Church, any Christian, who has the interest to sing in the church, is free to do so. A notable fact is that the music played in Catholic mass, completely emanate from Christians with passion and interest. On the other hand, for anyone to sing in a Buddhist ceremony, singing talent is the entry key. The mentioned religion pays no regard to passion in singing but value the talent in singing.
Work Cited
Werner, Eric. The Sacred Bridge Volume II: The Interdependence Liturgy and Music in Synagogue and Church during the First Millennium. USA: KTAV Publishing House, Inc. 1984, Print
