The biggest temple bell in the world
(Flying Dragon bell)

Owing to the divine favor of St. Koen and the prayer of the
archbishop before last Zeshin (the founder of Okunoin temple),
the big bell was cast in Kyoto and housed in the bell tower
without accident, in 1977. The mountain road between downtown
Tamana and Okunoin was so narrow and steep that it was
impossible for the 6 ton vehicles to pass along it. It seemd
as if the big bell had flown up the mountain. In light of
this miracle, the big bell was named "HIRYU-NO-KANE" or
"Flying Dragon bell".

The diameter of the big bell (2.8m) is derived from the
following phrase in Buddhist sonnet that represents Buddha's
mercy.

　　　　　"BAK(KU) YORAKU RI(GO) TOKUDATSU"

　　  　summary of the above;
             Buddha keeps us from sufferings,
                    sets our mind at ease,
                    gets rid or our karma,
                    makes us attain enlightenment.
"KU" means "sufferings" and has the same pronunciation as
the word for the number nine in Japanese, on the other hand,
"GO" means "karma" and inplies the number five. And
according to the Japanese measurement of length, 2m80cm is
equal to 9 "shaku" 5 "sun". Therefore, the big bell
symbolizes Buddha's compassion, ringing out "KU" and "GO".
Ringing the bell with fervent prayer leads to Buddha's vavor.


Try to ring the big temple bell
You can ring the big temple bell, if you have a plug-in of Shockwave.