The Bell tower is an important building in
Han ChineseBuddhist temples.[1] Together with
Drum tower, they are usually placed on both sides of the
Hall of Four Heavenly Kings.[1] It is usually on the left side while the Drum tower is usually on the right side.[1] It is general a three-storey pavilion with a large bell hung in it.[1] The loud and melodious sound of the bell is often used to convene monks.[1] In each morning and night, beating the bell 108 times symbolizes the relief of the 108 kinds of trouble in the human world.[2][3][4]
Examples
Bell tower of Xiantong Temple
The Bell tower of
Xiantong Temple was built in the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).[1][5] A biggest copper bell is stored in the tower.[1][5] It was cast between 1621 and 1627 during the
Ming dynasty (1368–1644).[1][5] Weighing 4,999.75 kilograms (11,022.6 lb), it sounds deep and sonorous when beaten, which can pass away for 5-kilometre (3.1 mi) and last for several minutes.[1][5]
Zi Yan (2012). "Xiantong Temple in Mount Wutai, Shanxi Province". Famous Temples in China (in English and Chinese). Hefei, Anhui: Huangshan Publishing House.
ISBN978-7-5461-3146-7.
Wang Jia (2012). "Mount Wutai: Xiantong Temple". Famous Mountains in China (in English and Chinese). Hefei, Anhui: Huangshan Publishing House.
ISBN978-7-5461-2704-0.
Wang Guixiang (2016-06-17). 《中国汉传佛教建筑史——佛寺的建造、分布与寺院格局、建筑类型及其变迁》 [The History of Chinese Buddhist Temples] (in Chinese). Beijing: Tsinghua University Press.
ISBN9787302427056.
Zhang Yuhuan (2014-06-01). 《图解中国佛教建筑、寺院系列》 [Illustration of Chinese Buddhist Architecture and Temples] (in Chinese). Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House.
ISBN9787515401188.