Among all the methods recommended by Buddha and the lineage of teacher’s who followed, the most important of practices is Devotion and praise. Song, especially, was the shining practice of the great Yogis, Milarepa, Shabkar and countless others who attained realizations.

Even in advanced yoga practices of Highest Yoga Tantras found in the Vajrayana, practice begins and ends with devotion. Why? To generate merit and purify negative karma. Celebrating, praising and honoring the Three Jewels is a complete practice in itself, accumulating vast merit and joy.

With this in mind, carrying on our mission of supporting Dharma practitioners, we’re delighted to announce our new musical group, 3Gems, the band, led by songwriter Kongchok Namkha.

The 3Gems mission is simple. To express, with faithful and inspirational sound our sincere enthusiastic devotion for the Three Jewels, otherwise known as 3 Gems or Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

• Songs will appear on the new Youtube Channel for the artists 3Gems — please support their new channel with subscribes (songs have not yet released, as of this post). Their channel is: https://www.youtube.com/@3GemsBand 
• 3Gems Songs will be available to Patrons on our Patreon Channel>>
• Songs will be available as MP3 downloads to Supporting Members>>
• Songs will release as music plays on Youtube Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and many others under the band 3Gems
• BUDDHA WEEKLY will also publish MUSIC VIDEOS of each release on our Youtube Channel: Exciting music videos hoped for each Saturday: https://www.youtube.com/buddhaweekly 
• And, of course, as posts right here on Buddha Weekly!

These songs will release first to Patrons and Supporting Members, and shortly after to streaming, and finally to video adaptions on Buddha Weekly Youtube Channel! (Pictured is single cover for Tara, Watch Over Me, a modern adaption of the ancient Song of Longing for Tara.)

This is a separate mission from the Buddha Weekly band, spearheaded by Hrishikesh Sonar — who faithfully chant sacred Sanskrit mantras.

With the 3Gems band, we take a lighter approach, a celebratory and joyous approach. In ancient times Milarepa, Yogi Shabkar and many other sages sang songs as a practice, celebrating the three jewels and the Buddhas, Dharma, Sangha, and their Gurus.

Our first series of singles, which will later appear in an album on streaming services will include our already recorded songs of devotion:

• Manjushri Light of Wisdom (with mantra)
• Rescuer of 6 Worlds Avalokiteshvara (with mantra)
• Vajrapani Hero (with mantra)
• Tara, Watch Over Me (inspired by an ancient song) 
• Amitabha Infinite Light (with Namo praises!)
• 21 Praises to Tara (song-adaption of Sanskrit praise)
• and band-favorite: 8 Protections Tara Praise (based on an ancient praise of Tara Varahi.)