The Call of the Kansho
One of the first experiences of note every Sunday at the temple (besides for the warm welcome of Dharma friends and family, of course) is the ringing of the bell to start let everyone know that the service is about to start. That particular bell is called the Kansho and it has both a very special place and a very special meaning in our Jodo Shinshu practice. One of my favorite things that I get to do as a Minister’s Assistant is strike the Kansho, sending its call out into temple and the world. As the sound vibrates out in all directions, I link to imagine that I am sending out a warm hug to say “good morning” and “welcome” - a hug that starts at the ears before it radiates to the body. In this post, I would like to talk a little bit about the Kansho, its purpose, and what it represents.
What is the Kansho?
Large, heavy, and made of either brass or bronze alloy, the Kansho (喚鐘) is referred to in several ways. I have it heard it referred to as the “ritual bell”, the “awakening bell”, the “summoning bell” and, my personal favorite, the “calling bell”. To get a sense of just how big and heavy it usually is, picture it being taller than a toddler. Heck, don’t picture it, go to your local Jodo Shinshu temple and see - and hear - one for yourself! They are often beautifully designed and cast by master craftspeople. Of course, there are very plain ones and I have even seen small ones. But in my own experience, nothing quite rings as powerfully and beautifully as the larger bells. The Kansho is usually struck with a large wooden mallet that is specially crafted just for the purpose of ringing the bell. The wood-on-metal strike produces a deep reverberation that quickly goes from sharp to dulcet.
Why do we ring it?
There is usually a lot going on in the temple before service. Friends and families are greeting one another, children are laughing and running, temple member groups are meeting, and business is being conducted in the temple office. The ringing of the Kansho cuts through it all to let folks know that something special is about to happen. The call of the Kansho tells everyone that the service is about to begin and that it is soon time to hear and receive the Dharma. It is a signal for attendees to take their seats and open their hearts and minds. For the ministers, it is a reminder that it is time to ready themselves physically and mentally to share the Dharma message. The sound of the Kansho invites the entire sangha to come together in practice.
Note that the bell is not just struck. No, there is a pattern to the ringing of the Kansho that must be practiced regularly to get it right. As often as I get to do it, I still manage to make occasional mistakes. The pattern is usually 7-5-3 with “mountains” in between the sets. In other words, there are seven strikes, followed by a crescendo and decrescendo, then five strikes, another crescendo and decrescendo, and finally three more strikes. In that final set of three, the second strike is usually noticeably softer or quieter than the rest. With that final strike, the ministers begin their chanting and the service is officially underway. I guess you can say it is very much like the school bells of old - when the ringing stops, the learning begins!
The Kansho’s Symbolism
Besides the very practical and mundane purpose of announcing the start of the service, the Kansho also serves several symbolic functions for us as Jodo Shinshu practitioners. It is said that its sound represents the very voice of the Buddha inviting us to awaken to his teachings, what we call the Dharma. With each strike of the bell, we can hear Amida Buddha’s compassionate call guiding us and all beings toward enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of birth and death that so often takes our attention away from such matters.
That fading resonance of the Kansho’s tone also reminds us of the impermanent nature of all things and of life itself. Just like these human bodies we inhabit, the sound of the bell starts strong and solid before weakening and slowly dying out. It’s beauty and power, though imbued with purpose and vigor, soon dissipate. This too is the way of human life. The key is not to focus on the fading, but on making the ring purposeful and beautiful while it lasts.
Finally, the peal of the Kansho also serves to bring us out of our heads and away from worldly distractions in order to focus our attention on the present moment. It is only when we are present here and now and free of the illusions of samsara that we are able to truly hear and receive the Tathagata’s teachings. In this way, the Kansho can help us cultivate Shinjin, the entrusting heart or awakened state that is so central to our Jodo Shinshu beliefs.
In many ways, the ring of the Kansho is both a wonderful gift and an essential opportunity. When I ring it, I try to imagine myself as magnifying the ever-calling, compassionate voice of Amida Buddha himself. It’s a chance for me, in my own meager way, to spread that compassion that emanates from well beyond my human limitations and imperfections. In gratitude, I like to say the Nembutsu between hits with the mallet. Maybe it is my way of answering the call. All I know is that it feel right and energizes my next strike.
The Kansho is more than just a bell. It is more than just a heavy hunk of metal dangled in the air to make a noise. These things too are impermanent. The bell will crack and the metal will corrode. It may even be melted down into other things eventually. But as the voice of the Buddha, it briefly carries an invitation to a compassion that is eternal. Namo Admida Butsu!
