Migtsema

This album is a cycle of contemporary sacred works inspired by Buddhist prayer texts and the sound world of Central Asia. Drawing from the Sanskrit Fourfold Refuge and a Tibetan prayer by Tsongkhapa, approach chant not as liturgical recitation, but as compositional material—shaping it through structure, texture, and dialogue.

Tibetan bass chant, Mongolian throat singing, and overtone vocals are woven together with guzheng, guqin, zhonghu, erhu, morin khuur, and Western strings. Throughout the album, instruments often carry the primary melodic lines, while the voice moves in and out of focus, creating layers of response and resonance. Techniques such as free-rhythm instrumental exchanges, cyclic harmonic grounding, and contrapuntal writing help shape the musical flow.

Each piece reflects a different inner landscape—devotion, pilgrimage, open grasslands, warrior spirit, stillness, and contemplation. Together, they form a unified sound world that honors spiritual tradition while expressing a personal and contemporary compositional voice.
＊The Sanskrit Fourfold Refuge is transliterated as: Namo Gurubhye, Namo Buddhāya, Namo Dharmāya, Namo Saṅghāya. The term “Namo” means “homage” or “I take refuge in,” expressing reverence and commitment. In English, the text translates as: “Homage to the Guru (spiritual teacher); homage to the Buddha (the awakened one); homage to the Dharma(the teachings and universal truth); homage to the Sangha(the community of practitioners).” This formula represents the traditional objects of refuge in Buddhist practice.

＊Traditional Tibetan prayer text
“Mig-me tse-wai ter-chen Chenrezig,
Dri-me khyen-pai wang-po Jam-pel-yang,
Dü-pung ma-lü jom-dze Sang-wai-dag,
Gang-chen kha-pai tsug-gyen Tsong-kha-pa,
Lo-zang drag-pai zhab-la sol-wa-deb.”

English Translation:
Avalokiteśvara, the great treasure of boundless compassion;
Mañjuśrī, the master of stainless wisdom;
Vajrapāṇi, the powerful destroyer of all forces of negativity;
Je Tsongkhapa, the crown jewel of the Land of Snows;
To Losang Drakpa, I offer my sincere prayer.