The Voice of the Bell

Green Gulch's Tea Sensei, Meiya Wender recently forwarded me this link about the Temple Bells in Japan.(BBC: Temple Bells). It describes the process of casting a bronze bell and also describes the meaning of the bells to people. I was fascinated to hear about the ceremonial aspect of the casting of the bell: while they cast the bell and pour the molten metal into the form, the temple priest is chanting sutras. Sometimes this process takes hours!

The bell in our practice has many symbolic associations, the voice of the bell represents the voice of the Buddha. We play it that it may be of some spiritual benefit to people in their daily lives. One Japanese priest said "Strike (the bell) with the intention to Awaken those who hear it, leading those who hear it to Enlightenment."

There is a gatha (short verse) to recite when ringing the bell, in the Soto School Sutra book
May all suffering beings in great difficulty,
Be released from their trouble and sorrow,
May all living beings in the Universe,
Hear the sound and realize the Way.

A few years back, when our small bell tower collapsed we did not play the Bonsho bell until we decided to suspend it from a large tree. Neighbors told us how much they missed it's comforting sound in the mornings and evenings.
I hope you enjoy listening to the audio program.