What is the Bells 钟

Bells are generally cast from copper or iron. They have no clappers inside and produce sound when struck. There are two types: large bells and small bells. Large bells are used in Taoist temples during the morning and evening rituals of "opening tranquility" and "ending tranquility", in coordination with large drums and clappers; small bells are used as ritual instruments in Taoist ceremonies, struck in conjunction with drums.

Daoshu Yuanshen Qi (Taoist Books: A Record of Invoking Spirits) states: "In ancient sacrificial music, there were bianzhong (sets of tuned bells) and bianqing (sets of tuned chimes), each set consisting of sixteen pieces, corresponding to the twelve musical tones and the clear sounds of the four modes. There were also texuan zhong (single hang bells) and texuan qing (single hang chimes); 'texuan' means hanging alone. Today, the golden bells and jade chimes on the cave altar, as well as large bells, all originate from these."

Taoists have specified procedures for striking bells. According to Yaoxiu Keyi Jielü Chao (Extracts of Essential Rituals and Precepts): "When ringing the bell, one should wear formal ritual robes, first go to the bell, hold the bell hammer in hand, and recite the prayer: 'The round hammer strikes the Dharma bell, its sound spreads to the ten directions. It penetrates the long night below, resounding loudly in the jade chambers above; the Nine Nether Regions hear it and are freed from suffering, and the seven generations of ancestors ascend to the immortal hall.'"

The sound of the bell striking starts softly and gradually becomes louder. One strike symbolizes the yang number originating from one. Two strikes represent the yin number originating from two. Three strikes mean the sound reaches the three heavens: Qingwei (Clear Subtlety), Yuyu (Jade Remainder), and Dachi (Great Red). Nine strikes correspond to the three heavens, three realms, and three categories of beings in suffering. Twenty-seven strikes signify that the upper nine strikes reach the Dao Lords of the nine heavens, the middle nine strikes awaken the true emperors of the nine palaces, and the lower nine strikes summon the suffering souls from the nine nether regions. Thirty-six strikes indicate that the sound reaches the thirty-six celestial emperors above, corresponds to the thirty-six volumes of sacred scriptures in the middle, and penetrates the thirty-six earthly portals below.

Striking the bell in accordance with the rules will make "the left immortal boy record the good deeds"; otherwise, "the right fairy girl will record the evil deeds."