How to Play and Care for a Singing Bowl
A singing bowl is one of the simplest tools for yoga, meditation and prayer: one bowl, one mallet, and a few minutes of quiet. This short guide covers the two ways to play it, what to expect from a handmade bowl, and how to keep it in good condition, based on the product notes for the singing bowls in our Sound Healing collection.
Two ways to play a singing bowl
- Strike it. Knock the rim or the body of the bowl with the wooden mallet (striker) and let the tone ring out.
- Circle the rim. Knock the rim once, then keep drawing circles around the rim with the mallet at a moderate speed. Either clockwise or anti-clockwise works.
Most of our sets come with a cushion or pillow, so the bowl can rest steadily while you play.
What to expect from a handmade copper bowl
Our singing bowls are individually handcrafted from copper. Slight hammer marks, surface scratches, texture variations, oxidation spots and color differences may be present. These are natural features of handmade craftsmanship, not defects, and they make every bowl unique.
About Om Mani Padme Hum
The signature feature of our Tibetan Meditation Bowl is the engraved mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum”, the Six True Words:
- Om: the vibration of the universe.
- Ma Ni: jewel, symbolizing compassion and love.
- Pad Me: lotus, symbolizing wisdom.
- Hum: inseparability and purity.
The patterns on the bottom of this bowl are batch-specific and shipped randomly.
Clean & care
- Store the bowl in a dry and clean place.
- Wipe it with a wet rag or cloth to clean it.
- Do not use detergents containing acid, ethanol, lipid or chloride, to avoid corrosion.
- Do not use a steel wire ball to clean the bowl.
- Avoid bumping or crashing the bowl.
- Do not soak the bowl in water, to avoid chipping and discoloring.
Choosing a size
| Singing bowl | Size | In the box | Price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handmade Mini Small Singing Bowl | 1.57 × 0.98 in (4 × 2.5 cm), about 2.12 oz (60 g); fits in the palm of your hand | Bowl, mallet, bag | $37.59 |
| Tibetan Meditation Bowl, Om Mani Padme Hum | 3.14 in (8 cm), 3.34 in (8.5 cm) or 3.74 in (9.5 cm); 175 g / 215 g / 300 g | Bowl, mallet (cushion option available) | From $37.59 |
| Tibetan Sound Bowl Handcrafted Singing Bowl Set | 3.14 in (8 cm), height 4 cm, 270 g | Bowl, mallet, hand-sewn non-dampening pillow | $49.59 |
| Handmade Singing Bowl, Buddha Eyes Scripture Pattern | 3.15 in (8 cm) | Bowl, mallet, cushion (random color) | $58.59 |
*Price at time of writing, October 31, 2026. Current prices are shown below and on each product page.
Singing bowls in this guide
Buddha Stones Tibetan Meditation Bowl for Healing and Mindfulness Om Mani Padme Hum Singing BowlAs low as $37.59 Regular Price $51.42
Buddha Stones Handmade Mini Small Singing Bowl for Healing and Meditation Sound Bowl Set 1.57*0.98 INSpecial Price $37.59 Regular Price $50.12
Buddha Stones Handmade Singing Bowl Buddha Eyes Scripture Pattern for Healing and Meditation Sound Bowl SetSpecial Price $58.59 Regular Price $78.12
Buddha Stones Tibetan Sound Bowl Handcrafted for Relaxation and Mindfulness Meditation Singing Bowl SetSpecial Price $49.59 Regular Price $69.85