Caritas Chamber Choir releases Manidhara Graham Patterson's album Here Perpetual Incense Burns: Western Buddhist Choral Music, directed by Benedict Preece, on 6 November 2026, with Ulysses Arts (UA26090), in partnership with Platoon. The album is a unique collection of contemporary choral music setting ancient and modern Buddhist texts and prayers, including by Tibetan monk Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), Urgyen Sangharakshita (1925-2018), and from Shāntideva's eighth-century Bodhicaryāvatāra (Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life).
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ALBUM CONTENTS
1. Meditation
Urgyen Sangharakshita
2. ‘Above Me Broods...'
Urgyen Sangharakshita
Piano: Tim Frost
3. The Rarest Gem
Je Tsongkhapa
4. Karaniya Metta Sutta
from the Sutta Nipāta
Violin: Christian Halstead; 'Cello: Julia Vohralik
5. Blessings
Urgyen Sangharakshita. from the Jayamangala Gāthā - Verses on Auspiciousness and Victory
6. Verses From Shāntideva
From Shāntideva’s Bodhicaryāvatāra (Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life)
The Threefold Puja:
Urgyen Sangharakshita
6. One: Opening Reverence
7. Two: Reverence To The Three Jewels
8. Three: Offerings To The Buddha
9. The Heart Sutra
Anonymous, The Teaching on the Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom, c. 200 AD
The Sevenfold Puja:
from the Shāntideva’s Bodhicaryāvatāra, Chapters 2 and 3
10. One: Worship
11. Two: Salutation
12. Three: Going For Refuge
13. Four: Confession Of Faults
14. Five: Rejoicing In Merit
15. Six: Entreaty And Supplication
16. Seven: Transference Of Merit and Self-Surrender
1. Meditation
Urgyen Sangharakshita
2. ‘Above Me Broods...'
Urgyen Sangharakshita
Piano: Tim Frost
3. The Rarest Gem
Je Tsongkhapa
4. Karaniya Metta Sutta
from the Sutta Nipāta
Violin: Christian Halstead; 'Cello: Julia Vohralik
5. Blessings
Urgyen Sangharakshita. from the Jayamangala Gāthā - Verses on Auspiciousness and Victory
6. Verses From Shāntideva
From Shāntideva’s Bodhicaryāvatāra (Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life)
The Threefold Puja:
Urgyen Sangharakshita
6. One: Opening Reverence
7. Two: Reverence To The Three Jewels
8. Three: Offerings To The Buddha
9. The Heart Sutra
Anonymous, The Teaching on the Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom, c. 200 AD
The Sevenfold Puja:
from the Shāntideva’s Bodhicaryāvatāra, Chapters 2 and 3
10. One: Worship
11. Two: Salutation
12. Three: Going For Refuge
13. Four: Confession Of Faults
14. Five: Rejoicing In Merit
15. Six: Entreaty And Supplication
16. Seven: Transference Of Merit and Self-Surrender
Manidhara Graham Patterson was born in Nottinghamshire, England in 1949. He started composing during his time as a boy chorister at Southwell Minster, before studying music at Cambridge University, where he was organ scholar at Clare College from 1967-70, studying with John Rutter and John Tavener.
After winning a scholarship to study singing at the Musikhochschule in Cologne, he developed a successful career as a singer, under the name of Graham Titus. In 2013 he was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order and given the name Manidhara (‘Bearer of the Jewel’).
After winning a scholarship to study singing at the Musikhochschule in Cologne, he developed a successful career as a singer, under the name of Graham Titus. In 2013 he was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order and given the name Manidhara (‘Bearer of the Jewel’).
Caritas Chamber Choir was founded in 2011 by Benedict Preece, its Music Director. Caritas is the Latin word for charity - the group raises funds for various charities, good causes and churches, and has become an important part of the cultural landscape of Kent. It is renowned for its commitment to contemporary choral works and has released several albums with a substantial number of world première recordings including by Sir James MacMillan.
Caritas have many international collaborations and have performed in Sweden, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. Every year, the choir proudly sings in Lille Cathedral as part of their summer music festival. For three years the choir ran an international choral composition competition and continues to champion new music with Sarah Cattley as the choir’s Associate Composer.
Caritas have many international collaborations and have performed in Sweden, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. Every year, the choir proudly sings in Lille Cathedral as part of their summer music festival. For three years the choir ran an international choral composition competition and continues to champion new music with Sarah Cattley as the choir’s Associate Composer.
Benedict Preece is an award-winning conductor who trained at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He is currently Music Director of Caritas Chamber Choir, East Bridge Chorale and Graduati Singers in London and has recently been appointed Director of Music at St Matthew’s Church, Westminster where he directs the professional choir and plays the organ.
He has released many recordings with Caritas Chamber Choir to critical acclaim. He is passionate about contemporary music, and has commissioned many notable composers including Sarah Cattley, and conducted numerous world première recordings.
He has released many recordings with Caritas Chamber Choir to critical acclaim. He is passionate about contemporary music, and has commissioned many notable composers including Sarah Cattley, and conducted numerous world première recordings.
https://platoon.lnk.to/here-perpetual-incense-burns-western-buddhist-choral-music
More pre-order links:
Amazon Music
Qobuz
More download and streaming links will be published here.
More pre-order links:
Amazon Music
Qobuz
More download and streaming links will be published here.
Electronic press kit available from Ulysses Arts.