20-20-20 | Korea Society: The Sound Of Ecstasy..

Sound of Ecstasy and Nectar of Enlightenment:
Buddhist Ritual Song and Dance from Korea
Young San Preservation Group / The Korea Society
Harmonies, as resonant and meditative as the religious devotion they represent, will fill the hall when the monks of Korea's Young San Preservation Group perform "The Sound of Ecstasy and Nectar of Enlightenment."
The group's eight monks will perform traditional pomp'ae, an unwritten music that, like Gregorian chant, must be learned by ear and recited by memory. Derived from ancient Buddhist ceremonies that were nearly lost to history, pomp'ae is marked by complex vocal patterns and a pure, heavy tone, with chanting that evokes a ruminative calm intended to facilitate spiritual growth.
The Young San ceremony includes offerings of flowers, food, fragrance, music, and sacred dance in honor of the Buddha. Traditional Korean drums, cymbals, and gongs - as well as a ritualized dance piece known as chakpop - will accompany the Young San Preservation Group's singing. The songs and dances of the Young San ceremony are unique to Korea and considered a Korean Intangible Cultural Asset by the South Korean government.
Read the press release to learn more.