Fanbai

Fanbai (Chinese: 梵唄, pinyin: fánbài; lit. 'Voice of Brahmā') refers to Buddhist ritual chanting performed in Chinese Buddhism. It originated from the chanting style that was commonly used in Indian Buddhism to facilitate the recitation of scriptures, which was later adapted in Chinese Buddhism after the transmission of Buddhism from India to China. In China, various styles of fanbai, each with specific melodies and rhythms, were gradually developed by various Buddhist traditions and regions. Despite these variations, the term "fanbai" is used as a broad umbrella term for Buddhist chanting from all the various traditions of Chinese Buddhism, such as Chan, Pure Land, Tiantai, Huayan and Zhenyan. Since its introduction into China, fanbai has been transmitted continuously through an unbroken lineage of monastics down to contemporary times, and is still used in modern Chinese Buddhist practice during all rituals and ceremonies.