The temple bell, drum and wooden fish: how to ring and when

Three sounds mark the day in a Vietnamese temple: the bell, the drum and the wooden fish (mõ). They call people to practice, keep the rhythm of chanting and give the mind something simple to follow. Visitors are often welcome to ring a bell once, but not always, so look for a sign or ask first.

What each one is

The great bell (đại hồng chung). A large bronze bell, usually in a bell tower or at the side of the main hall. It is struck slowly in the early morning and evening to mark the start and end of the day's practice. Its long note is often read as an invitation to let go of worry for a moment.
The drum (trống). A large drum, often in a tower opposite the bell. In many temples the drum is beaten in the evening and the bell in the morning, and the two together are known as "bell and drum" (chuông trống).
The wooden fish (mõ). A hollow wooden block, carved like a fish, struck with a small stick to hold a steady beat while people chant. The fish is said to stand for wakefulness, since fish are thought never to close their eyes.
The hall bell (chuông). A smaller bronze bell, or a bowl-shaped bell, set near the altar and rung during chanting and at the start and end of bowing.

Meanings are told in more than one way, and temples keep different schedules.

When they sound

Most temples ring the bell in the early morning and evening, with chanting between. On observance days, festivals and ceremonies there are more sounds and longer services. At other times the bells are quiet. If a service is going on, wait quietly at the back rather than ringing your own.

Ring the bell

Ring the temple bell once, slowly, after your bows, then stand quietly and listen until the sound has faded.

Check that you may. Look for a sign, or see whether others are ringing. If the bell belongs to the monastics, leave it to them.
Stand a step away, palms together, and take one breath.
Hold the striker in one or both hands, as the bell suggests.
Strike once, firmly but gently, at the thick part of the bell. Do not hit the rim or the top.
Listen. The first note rises and the sound hums on for many breaths. Wait until it is almost gone.
Finish with a slight bow and step back. If others are waiting, give them their turn.

Varies by temple: some bells are rung three times, some only at set times, and some are not for visitors. In the online temple the bell is rung once, after bowing and before sitting.

Tap the wooden fish (optional)

Tap the wooden fish lightly and evenly, in time with the chant, if the temple has set one out for visitors.

Check that you may. Some wooden fish are reserved for the person leading the service.
Sit or stand near it, palms together, and take a breath.
Take the stick in your right hand. Hold it like a pencil, loosely.
Tap in the middle of the fish, at a slow and even pace. Do not strike hard.
Stay with your breathing. Count taps to ten, then start again.
Lay the stick back where it was and give a slight bow.

Etiquette

Ring or tap only once or for a short time; do not play the instruments.
Never ring in the middle of a service or while someone is meditating.
Children should be shown how, and supervised.
Do not photograph bells while someone is ringing them, if the temple asks you not to.
If you are unsure, ask a monk or nun. A question is welcome.

Where this sits in a visit

You ring the bell after bowing and before you sit. See bowing before it and meditation after it, and the whole sequence in how to pay respects. For the chanting that the bell and fish accompany, see chanting. The layout of bell and drum towers is covered in the temple layout.

Keep reading

Enter the temple