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Ringing of the bells on New Year’s Eve
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Posted on Dec 29 2011
Nanmeido is a non-sectarian temple located at the Sugar King Park in Garapan that is dedicated to the spirits of the U.S. and Japanese soldiers and local people who lost their lives in the Battles of Saipan and Mid-Pacific in 1944. Inside the temple, a large Peace Bell hangs from the ceiling. It was donated as a wish for world peace by the Gifu Buddhist Association of Gifu, Japan in 2006.
[B]Joya No Kane[/B]Joya No Kane means temple bells that signal the end of the year at midnight on New Year’s Eve. It is traditionally rung 108 times. The first 107 times are rung on New Year’s Eve and the last time, the 108th time, is rung the moment the New Year arrives.
According to Buddhist belief, the 108 wheels of the temple bells represent the 108 desires of human beings. When the last wheel sounds, these desires are driven away. Thus, the New Year is greeted in a pure condition.
On New Year’s Eve in Japan, people go to the nearby Buddhist temples at midnight and ring the bell, hoping for good health and happiness in the coming year and chasing off the evil spirits.
Nanmeido observes this tradition by ringing the Hatsu-Mode (first New Year’s visit to a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple). Please take a moment visit Katori-Jinja after the Joya No Kane Service.
Please come join us on Dec. 31, 2011, at 11:45pm, at the Nanmeido (The International House of Prayer) at Sugar King Park. Please carry a flashlight. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]
