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Tingshas have long been used for ritual purposes by Buddhist monks, nuns, yogis and yoginis. When the two cymbal-shaped metal disks are struck together each produces a ringing sound of very slightly differing pitch. The combined effect gives rise to the unique 'shimmering' quality to the sound.

In Tibetan Buddhist practice tingshas are struck together at right-angles; this produces a loud penetrating sound.

Outside Tibetan Buddhism, shamanic use of tingshas also includes clearing space of negative energies and healing or balancing auric fields. They are also used to define the beginning and the end of a period of meditation.

Tingshas are made from an alloy of 5 or 7 metals which originally included meteorite. Today, iron is used as a substitute for this due to meteors being rather scarce! The alloy is cast and turned to obtain their true shape and pure sound. The casting may include decoration of the upper surfaces - usually depicting dragons or the eight auspicious symbols (click here) or 'om mani padme hum'. The undersurfaces will often be imprinted with Tibetan characters for 'om mani padme hum' which represents enlightened body, speech and mind..