Bell tower (Chinese Buddhism) explained

Pic:	Bell Tower of Yunju Temple (20150223134805).JPG
Picsize:	250px
Piccap:	The Bell tower at Yunju Temple, in Beijing.
P:	Zhōnglóu
L:	Bell tower

The Bell tower is an important building in Han Chinese Buddhist temples. Together with Drum tower, they are usually placed on both sides of the Hall of Four Heavenly Kings. It is usually on the left side while the Drum tower is usually on the right side. It is general a three-storey pavilion with a large bell hung in it. The loud and melodious sound of the bell is often used to convene monks. In each morning and night, beating the bell 108 times symbolizes the relief of the 108 kinds of trouble in the human world.^{[1] [2]}

Examples

Bell tower of Xiantong Temple

The Bell tower of Xiantong Temple was built in the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644). A biggest copper bell is stored in the tower. It was cast between 1621 and 1627 during the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644). Weighing, it sounds deep and sonorous when beaten, which can pass away for 5km (03miles) and last for several minutes.

References

Bibliography

• Book: Zi Yan. Famous Temples in China. Xiantong Temple in Mount Wutai, Shanxi Province. 2012 . Huangshan Publishing House. Hefei, Anhui. 978-7-5461-3146-7. en, zh.
• Book: en, zh. Wang Jia. Famous Mountains in China. Mount Wutai: Xiantong Temple. 2012. Huangshan Publishing House . Hefei, Anhui. 978-7-5461-2704-0.

Further reading

• Book: zh. Wang Guixiang . zh:《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 . 2016-06-17. Tsinghua University Press. Beijing . 9787302427056.
• Book: zh. Zhang Yuhuan. zh:《图解中国佛教建筑、寺院系列》. Illustration of Chinese Buddhist Architecture and Temples . 2014-06-01 . Contemporary China Publishing House . Beijing. 9787515401188.

Notes and References

1. Book: Wei Ran . Buddhist Buildings . 2012-06-01. China Architecture & Building Press . Beijing. 9787112142880 .
2. Book: Han Xin . Well-Known Temples of China. 2006-04-01. The Eastern Publishing Co. Ltd. Shanghai. 7506024772.