The image of the pagoda and the sound of pagoda bells have becomefamiliar to Vietnamese people, helping them feel relaxed and calm. Formany Vietnamese people, the sound of the pagoda bell is closelyassociated with nostalgic memories and reflects the cultural beauty ofthe country.
Pagodas are very popular throughoutVietnam. Many of them are hundreds of years old. Vietnamesepagodas are unique for their architecture while the pagoda bell makesthem more sacred and solemn.
The history of Vietnamesepagodas reflects the long history of Buddhism in Vietnam. Accordingto Buddhist concepts, the sound of bell is the sound of intellectualitybecause it awakens people’s mind.
There are three dailysessions of bell ringing. Each session has 108 tokes. Buddhist conceptssay that when the sound of the bell reaches heaven, those in heaven restin peace, when it reaches hell, those down there are released fromtheir sufferings.
The sacred sound of pagodabells reminds Buddhist followers and laymen to share their love withother people and pray for peace. For Vietnamese people, the Buddhistconception of the universe is profound and easy to understand.
In modern life, the sound of the pagoda bell recalls the sacred soul ofthe nation. So for Vietnamese people, bell casting and ringing are ofgreat importance. A bell must be cast by skillful and moral craftsmen.Before casting, several rituals are held and then step by step, a batchof bronze is cast with gold contributed by donors.
According to the traditional bronze casting technique, a certain amountof gold mixed with the bronze in casting will make the sound of the belltravel farther. Gold is expensive, but, many people want to donate goldto bell casting to show their belief in Buddha, considering it an honorfor their family.
Vu Thi Minh, a gold donor for bellcasting in Hanoi , said: " I donated gold for bell casting today. Ipray for happiness for my family".
A ftercasting, the bell is kept in the pagoda and in the morning and lateafternoon, will toll slowly to help people feel relaxed in their busylife.
Dr. Pham Minh Khang, a folklore researcher,said: "The sound of the bell is the sound of the sacred world.When it echoes, people feel sacred and solemn reflecting people’s wishfor a better life. They ring the bell to pray for good luck and driveaway all the bad luck. The sound of the bell reflects people’s souls andtheir wish for peace, good weather, and prosperity”.
In Vietnam, the image of pagodas and the sound of pagoda bells areclosely associated with rural life and farmers. When the bell echoes inthe morning, it wakes people up to go to the field and in the afternoon,it signals the end of the working day. The sound of the bell givespeople relief from their daily hardship and refreshes their minds.-VNA
Pagodas are very popular throughoutVietnam. Many of them are hundreds of years old. Vietnamesepagodas are unique for their architecture while the pagoda bell makesthem more sacred and solemn.
The history of Vietnamesepagodas reflects the long history of Buddhism in Vietnam. Accordingto Buddhist concepts, the sound of bell is the sound of intellectualitybecause it awakens people’s mind.
There are three dailysessions of bell ringing. Each session has 108 tokes. Buddhist conceptssay that when the sound of the bell reaches heaven, those in heaven restin peace, when it reaches hell, those down there are released fromtheir sufferings.
The sacred sound of pagodabells reminds Buddhist followers and laymen to share their love withother people and pray for peace. For Vietnamese people, the Buddhistconception of the universe is profound and easy to understand.
In modern life, the sound of the pagoda bell recalls the sacred soul ofthe nation. So for Vietnamese people, bell casting and ringing are ofgreat importance. A bell must be cast by skillful and moral craftsmen.Before casting, several rituals are held and then step by step, a batchof bronze is cast with gold contributed by donors.
According to the traditional bronze casting technique, a certain amountof gold mixed with the bronze in casting will make the sound of the belltravel farther. Gold is expensive, but, many people want to donate goldto bell casting to show their belief in Buddha, considering it an honorfor their family.
Vu Thi Minh, a gold donor for bellcasting in Hanoi , said: " I donated gold for bell casting today. Ipray for happiness for my family".
A ftercasting, the bell is kept in the pagoda and in the morning and lateafternoon, will toll slowly to help people feel relaxed in their busylife.
Dr. Pham Minh Khang, a folklore researcher,said: "The sound of the bell is the sound of the sacred world.When it echoes, people feel sacred and solemn reflecting people’s wishfor a better life. They ring the bell to pray for good luck and driveaway all the bad luck. The sound of the bell reflects people’s souls andtheir wish for peace, good weather, and prosperity”.
In Vietnam, the image of pagodas and the sound of pagoda bells areclosely associated with rural life and farmers. When the bell echoes inthe morning, it wakes people up to go to the field and in the afternoon,it signals the end of the working day. The sound of the bell givespeople relief from their daily hardship and refreshes their minds.-VNA
