<p>At least in Sri Lanka bells are used as a "call" to gather everyone at the temple to signal the start of an event.</p>

<p>In some cases like in Siripada as a means to announce how many times you have visited.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-11T11:44:18.133Z
2015-02-11T11:44:18.133Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>A "bell" is mentioned in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visuddhimagga" rel="nofollow">Visuddhimagga</a>.</p>

<p>In <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nanamoli/PathofPurification2011.pdf" rel="nofollow">this translation</a> it says,</p>

<blockquote>
  <ol start="89">
  <li>And, though sometimes not separate, <em>applied thought</em> is the first impact of
  the mind in the sense that it is both gross and inceptive, <strong>like the striking of a bell</strong>.
  <em>Sustained thought</em> is the act of keeping the mind anchored, in the sense that it is
  subtle with the individual essence of continued pressure, <strong>like the ringing of the
  bell</strong>. <em>Applied thought</em> intervenes, being the interference of consciousness at the
  time of first arousing [thought], like a bird’s spreading out its wings when
  about to soar into the air, and like a bee’s diving towards a lotus when it is
  minded to follow up the scent of it. The behaviour of <em>sustained thought</em> is quiet,
  being the near non-interference of consciousness, like the bird’s planing with
  outspread wings after soaring into the air, and like the bee’s buzzing above the
  lotus after it has dived towards it</li>
  </ol>
</blockquote>

<p>A 'bell' is even mentioned <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.10.budd.html" rel="nofollow">in the Dhammapada</a>,</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>134</strong>. If, like a broken gong, you silence yourself, you have approached Nibbana, for vindictiveness is no longer in you.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-11T10:24:26.717Z
2015-02-11T10:30:56.370Z
2015-02-11T10:30:56.370Z
ChrisW
<p>Bells seem to be pervasive throughout Buddhist ritual. I get the impression that many monasteries ring a large bell in the morning, and other monasteries still ring regular bells throughout the day to encourage mindfulness. Most meditation apps on smartphones have a bell-ringing sound.
<strong>Where did this come from? What other usage do bells have in Buddhist ritual? Are there references to bells in canonical texts?</strong></p>

<p>Answers from all sects appreciated.</p>

<traditions><monasticism><rituals>
How did bells become a part of Buddhist ritual?
# How did bells become a part of Buddhist ritual?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-02-11)

Bells seem to be pervasive throughout Buddhist ritual. I get the impression that many monasteries ring a large bell in the morning, and other monasteries still ring regular bells throughout the day to encourage mindfulness. Most meditation apps on smartphones have a bell-ringing sound.
**Where did this come from? What other usage do bells have in Buddhist ritual? Are there references to bells in canonical texts?**

Answers from all sects appreciated.

**Tags:** traditions, monasticism, rituals


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-02-11. Score: 1

At least in Sri Lanka bells are used as a "call" to gather everyone at the temple to signal the start of an event.

In some cases like in Siripada as a means to announce how many times you have visited.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2015-02-11. Score: 1

A "bell" is mentioned in the [Visuddhimagga](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visuddhimagga).

In [this translation](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nanamoli/PathofPurification2011.pdf) it says,

> 89. And, though sometimes not separate, *applied thought* is the first impact of
>     the mind in the sense that it is both gross and inceptive, **like the striking of a bell**.
>     *Sustained thought* is the act of keeping the mind anchored, in the sense that it is
>     subtle with the individual essence of continued pressure, **like the ringing of the
>     bell**. *Applied thought* intervenes, being the interference of consciousness at the
>     time of first arousing [thought], like a bird’s spreading out its wings when
>     about to soar into the air, and like a bee’s diving towards a lotus when it is
>     minded to follow up the scent of it. The behaviour of *sustained thought* is quiet,
>     being the near non-interference of consciousness, like the bird’s planing with
>     outspread wings after soaring into the air, and like the bee’s buzzing above the
>     lotus after it has dived towards it

A 'bell' is even mentioned [in the Dhammapada](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.10.budd.html),

> **134**. If, like a broken gong, you silence yourself, you have approached Nibbana, for vindictiveness is no longer in you.


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