The 3 panels on the inside of this cd cover depict some of the deities to whom these prayers are made. On the right panel is Avalokiteshvara with his counterpart Dorje Phagmo, prayed to in songs 2, 7, and 10. In the center is Guru Padmasambhava, a tantric master, prayed to in songs 3, 8, and 9. On the left is Vajradhara, the Primordial Buddha and source of the Vajrayana Buddhist practices of Bhutan.
These beings are considered sources of blessing. The 3 panel fold out can be contemplated as an altar as you listen to this music. Traditionally one might offer a lit candle during this contemplation.
The Sacred Feminine Voices of Bhutan
A Living Prayer in Sound
Recorded with Bhutanese nuns in the Himalayan mountains, The Sacred Feminine Voices of Bhutan is more than an album, it is a devotional offering. The chants and prayers you hear were recorded in sacred spaces where practice, discipline, and compassion shape daily life.
The physical CD is available exclusively in Bhutan, at:
- Tshalumaphey Training and Resource Center, near Thimphu (also the seat of the Bhutan Nuns Foundation)
- Lungta Handicraft, opposite the Post Office in Thimphu.
For those who wish to listen from afar, individual tracks or the complete album can be downloaded through Kahua Records at ShamanicMusic.com. When visiting our music website, you may also listen to samples and immerse yourself in the atmosphere before bringing the music into your own space.
1. Om Tashi Luzi Gomo la – The Song of Auspiciousness
One of the Cesar Epic Songs A Divine Woman, abandoned by the King, sings of her feelings.
2. Thuge Cherpoi Soldep – Invocation Prayer to Avaldkiteshvara
This prayer requests the blessings of Avalokiteshvara, the Lord of Compassion.
3. Thigduen Soldep – Supplication Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava
The seven verse supplication prayer to Gwu Padmasambhava has the power to grant his blessings by merely reciting it All obstacles will be removed and one will be empowered with extrace dinavy qualities.
4. Druki, Zeudeu – Blossoms of Bhutan
An instrumental, featuring the traditional zither, honoeing both the ancient and the new spirit of The Land of the Thunder Deagon, Bhutan.
5. Lu di Gang dong Gang gi Lu – The Song of Offering
By asking the deities for blewings and good luck, through offering and singing this song one attains victory and receives good auspice forever like the great hero King, Gesar of Ling.
6. Lu di Gang dang Gang gi Lu gi – Drayang Offering Symphony
An instrumental piece featuring the song of offering.
7. Chenteyzig Soldep – Supplication Prayer to Avalokiteshvara
‘I bow to the Lord of Compassion! You have a heart full of compassion and are the embodiment of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. May all sentient beings be liberated from suffering!’
8. Vara Guru Padme Siddhi Hum – The Twelve Syllable Prayer of Guru Padmasambhava
‘May the blessings of the body, speech and mind of all the Buddhas be received and all twelve negativies be pwrified by your grace, Padmasambhava.’
9. Vapa Guu Padme Siddhi Hum gi Drayang
Instrumental Music of the Twelve Syllable Prayer of Guru Padmas ambhava.
10. Cherreyzig Choadpa – Offering Prayee to the Lord of Compassion
‘May I offer the perfect appearance, sound, smell, taste and touch to Avalokiteshvara, the Lord of Compassion.’
11. Mandala Phulva – Offering of the Universe Mandala
‘Toffee the universe with its scented flowers, mountains, four continents, sun and moon as the field for all Buddhas.’
12. Bu Chos gawai lope – Lose Song
‘Please don’t go away, come clocer and closer! Your blossoming smile makes my heart melt.’
13. Choe Nampa Gung Sang Thonpo – The Marriage of Heaven and Earth – A Bhutanese Wedding Song
‘You in the high sky, sun-like girl, dancing with millions of rays.’
In the end all beings are heaven and earth, both male and female.
14. Thenden Thogpai Thog Lu – The Blessed Gathering Song
One of the most sacred songs sung at gatherings by many enlightened Masters in former times.
Chants and Payers: The nuns from the Kila Gonpa and Zilukha nunneries in Bhutan
Lead vocals: Thinley Lhamo
Arrangements, Keyboards, Instrumentals, Percussion and Recording Engineer: Raphael
Vocals, Didgeridoo, Bells and Singing Bowl: Kutira
The Kahua Choir: Teresa Brumfield, Lalita Karst, Bodhi Karuna, Carole Livingstone, Ashana Morrow, Atmo Shakti
Percussion: Nicolas Kern and Gary Muszynski
Flutes: Tenzin Sherab and Richard Karst
On “Blossoms of Bhutan” and “The Wedding Song”: RAPA, The Royal Academy of Performing Arts
Mixed and Mastered by Daren Chadwick and Richard Karst at Hale Kua Music
Nuns and Thanka Photos: Kutira Decosterd
Cover Design: Alden Bevington
We are especially grateful and thankful to Her Majesty, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Khenpo Phuntsok Tashi, Wendy Grace and the many friends and supporters of the nuns in this auspicious project. Produced and recorded by Kahua Records, a division of the Kahua Hawaiian Institute. ©2008 Kahua Records, all rights reserved Raphael Sharpe Productions BMIIf you would like to receive information about foe downloads, new releases, buying online, or to subscribe to our mailing list, visit www.KahuaRecords.com email: info@KahuaRecords.com
phone: 808 572 6006
The Kingdom of Bhutan, nestled in the Eastern Himalayas between India and China, is truly a precious treasure. The Government of Bhutan measures the county’s progress in terms of Gross National Happiness (GNH) which honors the balance of material and spiritual development.
Girls and women in Bhutan from all walks of life become nuns to seek a peaceful, selfless, and spiritual life. They are inspired by the belief that as nuns they can contribute to the well-being and happiness of all sentient beings through direct action and through their prayers.
Her Majesty the Queen of Bhutan, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, the Patron of the nuns, invited us to record for the first time in history inside the nunneries of Bhutan and to create this auspicious album of blessings and prayers.
To learn more about the nuns project or to make a donation visit: www.NunsofBhutan.org
Her Majesty, The Queen of Bhutan,
with Raphael and Kutira
