Cutting Through Silence: The Traditional Instruments of Buddhist Temples

While most people associate silence with the act of meditation, sound too has its place. Bells, gongs, and wooden percussion instruments play a central role in Zen and other Buddhist traditions. They are used to keep time, signal important events, and support ceremonial activities, such as chanting, within the temple. These traditional musical instruments of Buddhist temples have been developed over centuries, each with a specific function and place in practice.

Instruments vary by tradition. In Korea you may see the moktak, a wooden clapper used to lead chants and the chukpi, a handheld signal clapper. Meanwhile in Japan, instruments include the mokugyo (fish drum), which provides a steady rhythm during ceremonies. The inkin bell is used to mark the beginning and end of meditation periods, while the large bonsho temple bell calls practitioners together or even warns of impending typhoons!

If you are curious about meditation or Zen practice, understanding these instruments offers insight into the structure and flow of monastic life and the tradition that supports it. Many of these pieces can also be incorporated into home practice, bringing the clarity and focus of traditional temple sound into a personal setting.

Buddhist Bells and Gongs

Bells and gongs are among the most prominent instruments in Zen temples. Their clear, sustained tones signal important events throughout the day and used as formal elements of ceremonies. Some of the most common that you’ll see include:

• Bonsho (Temple Bell)
  The bonsho is the large bronze bell typically housed in a temple tower. Traditionally cast using intricate techniques, these bells have a deep, resonant tone that can carry for miles. Monks use a suspended wooden beam, called a shu-moku, to strike the bell.
• Inkin Bell
  Small and handheld, the inkin is used by a meditation leader or monk to guide practitioners. It produces a delicate, clear note and is often used to signal the beginning or end of meditation periods. It is struck with a small padded mallet or metal striker, creating a pure, focused tone, that shocks the stillness of the meditation hall.
• Rin Bell
  Sometimes called a singing bowl, the rin bell sits on a cushion and is struck with a wooden or padded striker. Its tone is warm and sustained, making it ideal for accompanying chanting or creating a peaceful atmosphere during meditation.
• Kei/Keisu Gong
  The kei or keisu is a thick-walled metal bowl with a full-bodied, resonant tone. Traditionally, it punctuates chants or ceremonial readings, and is played alongside the mokugyo (fish drum). The striker, often wrapped in fabric, allows for a range of sound profiles — from soft accents to commanding strikes.
• Unpan
  The unpan (literally: “cloud plate”) is a large, flat, metal gong, often with a spade or crescent shape. It is hung and struck to signal mealtimes or important transitions within the temple day. It is usually hung near the dining hall.

Traditional Buddhist Percussion Instruments

Percussion instruments provide rhythm and structure during chanting, walking meditation, and other forms of practice. These are almost exclusively carved from wood, producing earthy, grounding tones.

• Mokugyo (Fish Drum)
  The mokugyo is a hollow, carved wooden drum shaped like a fish, symbolizing wakefulness and perseverance. It is traditionally made from camphor wood. Struck with a padded mallet, it creates a sharp, rhythmic “tok” sound. It is central to chanting rituals, keeping practitioners unified.
  
• Kai-Han
  Traditionally used in Zen temples, the kai-han is a flat wooden board hung near the entrance to the meditation hall and struck with a mallet to signal meditation periods or meals. Its crisp, echoing tone carries throughout the temple grounds.
  
• Moktak
  Similar to the mokugyo, the moktak is another variation of the “fish drum” and is widely used in Korean Buddhist traditions. It produces a strong, steady beat to guide chanting or call practitioners together.
  
• Chukpi
  The chukpi consists of two flat wooden slats connected at one end, creating a sharp clapping sound when snapped together. It is often used in small-group ceremonies or home practice to signal transitions in meditation practice.
  
• Hyoshigi (Zen Clappers)
  The hyoshigi are a pair of hardwood sticks, often connected by a thin rope, struck together to create a loud, crisp sound. Outside of temples, hyoshigi are also used in traditional Japanese theatrical performances.
  
• Gyoban (Fish Gong)
  The gyoban (Mogeo in Korean traditions) is a large, fish-shaped wooden board or metal gong, struck to signal mealtimes. The fish design represents continuous awareness, as fish never close their eyes. Its deep, resonant knock is both functional and symbolic.

Traditional Buddhist Instruments Available from Still Sitting

At Still Sitting, we offer a carefully curated selection of traditional Buddhist instruments, each crafted with attention to detail and made to last. These pieces are ideal for practitioners looking to bring the structure and clarity of monastic practice into their homes or smaller meditation spaces.

Our moktak is handmade in Korea from beautiful apricot wood and designed to be comfortably held in one hand. It comes with a matching wooden striker and features a hand-carved stamp of the Chinese character for “Sky.” For signaling the beginning and end of meditation sessions, we carry the chukpi, also crafted in Korea from apricot wood. Designed to resemble bamboo, this instrument is held in one hand and slapped against the opposite palm to create a sharp clap.

For those interested in chanting practice, our mokugyo is handcrafted in Japan from camphor laurelwood, featuring intricate fish carvings and a natural light finish that showcases the wood grain. It comes with a birch striker and a high-quality brocade cushion. Another traditional wooden instrument, the hyoshigi, is made from black walnut wood in the USA by our monk friend Teido Bill Stephens. These clappers produce a strong, clear sound and are often paired with the inkin bell to signal transitions during meditation or meals.

Our American inkin bell is also crafted in the US by Teido Bill Stephens. Made from spun brass with a salvaged ipe wood striker and black walnut handle, this small hand bell produces a clear, lasting tone and comes with a burlap resting pad. 

For deeper resonance, we offer rin bells made in Japan. These spun brass bells come in a range of sizes, each with its own distinct tone, and include a multicolored cushion and wooden striker. For those who want the rich, sustaining sound of a gong, our kei/ keisu temple gongs are available in both large and small sizes. These iron bowls are made in Japan and include a sturdy cushion and well-made striker, producing a resonant tone that lingers long after being struck.

We also carry Tibetan instruments, including a solid Tibetan hand bell that can be rung or struck with a wooden mallet, and Tibetan cymbals, or tingsha bells, which are connected by a leather strap and feature an engraved dragon design. 

Each of these instruments has a place in traditional Buddhist practice and can bring a sense of rhythm and order to your own meditation space. By incorporating these authentic pieces into your routine, you can create an environment that reflects the precision and depth of practice found in Zen temples.

A note on our sources:

Still Sitting is committed to writing and researching articles that are accurate and informative. We know there are many places to find information online. So, we work hard to ensure that we are a trusted source for all of our readers. This blog is intended to help you learn about our products and the cultural subjects that we hold dear. As part of this commitment, we include the sources we use to write our posts:

Terebess Online: Percussion Instruments at Buddhist Temples
The Met: Mokugyo
The Difference Between a Bonsho and a Hansho

Stay engaged with more insightful stories from Still Sitting:

What is a mokugyo (fish drum)?
The Bonsho Buddhist Temple Bell: Resonance and Tradition