Question 42: MUSIC SEEMS UNNECESSARY AND EXCESSIVE, YET IT BECOMES INDISPENSABLE AS CIVILIZATION ADVANCES. HOW SHOULD LAY PEOPLE UNDERSTAND MUSIC?

Answer: Music is a fascinating phenomenon. While it may appear superfluous, its absence often leaves a noticeable void. Buddhist scriptures mention that celestial beings in heaven use music as offerings to the Buddha. Some of these beings, known as Gandharvas, are particularly skilled in music. The Mahayana Shurangama Sutra even lists music as one of the five abilities a Bodhisattva must master to teach others (among the Five Abilities, Sound Ability is regarding music).Although monastic precepts in Buddhism prohibit singing, Buddhist music hasn't developed as extensively as in other religions. Catholicism, for example, heavily relies on music for evangelism, with many innovative doctrines woven into hymn lyrics, captivating believers.As monks have interacted with other religions, they've become more open-minded and have begun to accept hymns composed by lay practitioners. Korean Buddhist monks now use music to introduce Buddhism to the public. It's possible that ancient Indian music was primarily lyrical, making it unsuitable for monks to sing. However, nowadays, it's quite common and even enjoyable to hear a monk singing a religious song.Exploring the world of music further, we discover that it represents the pinnacle of both art and mathematics. Musicians, singers, and composers must understand music as deeply as mathematics and appreciate it as a sublime art form. Learning music properly is as hard as mastering mathematics.Melodious tunes can captivate our minds, leaving lasting impressions. However, lyrics filled with Dharma can deepen our understanding of the teachings. Lay practitioners should also acquire some knowledge of music to avoid a DEFICIENCY in their spiritual practice. In this case, it's better to have too much knowledge than too little