Standing Bell
大磬
In Chinese Buddhist temples the chanting of prayers may be punctuated by the striking of a
Standing Bell (qing) with a wooden block. Every strike is an indication to the audience whether to join palms, release palms, speed up or slowdown chanting rhythm and when to start or
to stop. The standing bell is an instrument which leads the chanting in a temple.
The sound of the standing bell is pleasing , relaxing and has the effect of awakening.
It also symbolizes Buddhism’s solemn, super mundane and pure image.
一般課誦或法會進行時，大磬敲打的次數不多，但每敲一次大磬都是一個指示，召示大眾這時候要合掌、放掌，應該要快、要慢，應該要停、要起，大磬有很多功用，相當於整個唱誦的領導。
磬的聲音清脆、悠揚，具有振醒昏沉的作用，體現著佛教莊嚴、肅穆、超塵、清淨的形象。