Joya no Kane-Midnight Tolling of the Temple Bells
Located in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto, Chion-in
Ringing the bell at a temple on New Year’s Eve is a Buddhist tradition. Bells are rung 108 times in that according to Buddhism it is said that man has 108 troublesome desires, and by hearing the bells toll 108 times people can rid themselves of such desires at the end of the year.
Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times at midnight. This tradition is called joya no kane which means “bell rings on new year eve’s night.” The rings represent 108 elements of bonō, defilements, or Kilesa in Sanskrit, which is said people have in their mind. The bells are rung to repent 108 of the bonnō.
Chion in – Joya-no-kane (Bell Ringing on New Year’s Eve)
As part of welcoming the new year, the purpose of this ceremony is to sweep away all of the desires that have accumulated over the course of a year. The bell is struck 108 times, which represents the number of desires that we hold. The bell at Chion-in is one of the most famous in Japan. Due to its size, it takes a team of seventeen monks to strike the bell, and each time the bell rings the monks can be heard shouting “Ee hitotsu” (One more!) and “sōre” (Now!).
Chion in http://www.chion-in.or.jp/e/events.html
