Music has been described as a powerful force, capable of connecting people within and across geographic, generational, and cultural boundaries. It exists in various combinations of melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and sounds as forms of expression, celebration, inspiration, and belief. Music exists in all cultures, so it should come as no surprise that it’s an important part of many of the world’s religions. It is often used to express worship and adoration. In some faiths, it provides a connection to doctrine and teachings. Let’s take a look at the music of the world’s religions.
Buddhism
One of the primary forms of music in Buddhism is chanting. These incantations are a way for adherents to prepare for mediation. Some use it as a form of devotional practice. While there are several types of traditional chanting, the most common forms involve principles of Buddhism as outlined in the Pali Canon, the most complete collection of Buddhist scriptures in the Theravada tradition.
Christianity
Christian music is written and sung to express praise, worship, penitence, lament, and other aspects of Christian living. One of the most common forms of Christian music is the hymn, a traditional song of praise or worship often sung or played during services and other gatherings. Before the 1700s, collections of hymns, or hymnals, were published as lyrics without accompanying scores. As publishing became modern and more accessible, hymns began to be published with musical scores.
In the 1900s, Christian music began to reflect and influence trends in secular sounds. Different styles and genres of composition, performance, and production began to emerge. Today, religious music in the faith varies across cultures, generations, and geographic boundaries. It’s not uncommon, especially in Western societies, to hear Christian music from various genres, including gospel, blues, rock, pop, country, and more. Several secular genres feature styles and performers with backgrounds in Christian churches.
Hinduism
Hindu music exists in various forms:
- Bhajan: This is a simple devotional song that expresses love and worship of the Divine. It usually involves the name and characteristics of the chosen deity or deities. Bhajans help singers feel a closeness to the Divine or their inner selves.
- Kirtan: This is a chanting of mantras done in a call-and-response style in a group. It usually involves instruments and dance.
- Indian classical music: This is a form of classical music with roots in the Hindu faith.
Islam
In the Muslim faith, music generally has different purposes. The most common use is for prayer and worship of Allah. Islamic prayer songs are usually based on text found in the Quran. Other forms include Sufi music, which is focused on improving a relationship with God, and Naat, which is a poem that praises the prophet Muhammad. Islamic music tends to be monophonic, emphasizing melody and rhythm over harmony.
Judaism
The tradition of music dates as far back as Biblical times. Music performed in the temple of Jerusalem usually involved a small orchestra of twelve instruments and a choir of male singers. In traditional Jewish synagogues, music is usually 100% vocal and lacks instruments and harmonies. In many services, a hazzan sings and the congregation usually responds in a monophonic style. Jewish religious music ranges from chanting to scriptural readings, prayers, and hymns. Jewish music styles have also influenced the melodies of some praise and worship songs in Western Protestant traditions.
The power of the music of the world’s religions is felt deeply within many communities. Whether sung, played, or heard, music’s power to bring people together goes hand in hand with the aims of religious faith. Music is also a vehicle for the spread of certain belief systems, impacting secular works and pop culture.