The Bonsho Buddhist Temple Bell: Resonance and Tradition

The bonshō Buddhist temple bell is a symbol of spiritual tradition that — like its resonant peals — echoes across time and culture. This large, bronze temple bell emits a sonorous tone that anchors the mind. 

In Zen and Mahayana traditions, the deep, full-bodied tone of the bonshō marks the rhythm of daily monastic practice — signaling moments of silence, communal chanting, and transitions between work and meditation. Its sustained reverberation is said to encouraging mindful attentiveness in all things.

Through centuries of upheaval — including wartime requisitions and postwar restorations — the bonshō has endured as a testament to resilience and spiritual continuity. Today, its tolling continues to connect practitioners with the faith, culture, and tradition of Buddhist practice.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance of the Bonshō

The bonshō Buddhist temple bell holds profound spiritual significance in both Zen and broader Mahayana traditions. Buddhist bells originated as ancient Chinese bronze bells and were first brought to Japan in the late 7th century. During the Nara period (710–794 CE) in Japan, the first large-scale temple bells were commissioned under imperial decree. As Buddhism flourished, bell casting techniques evolved — artisans perfected alloys of copper and tin to achieve enduring clarity and sustain.

Traditionally cast in bronze, these bells are often inscribed with Sanskrit mantras, floral motifs, or the names of benefactors around their flared waist. They are rung with either a striking stick (or mallet), or a beam suspended with rope, rather than an internal clapper. 

The bell’s form consiss of a rounded body, reinforced flange, and majestic dragon-shaped ryūzu handles. While temple bells can exceed four feet in height and weigh over a ton, smaller tabletop versions offer the same depth of tone in a more intimate scale. 

In Zen temples, the bonshō marks the passage of time and signals key moments in daily monastic life: dawn services, meal times, and evening chants. Bonshō bells are treated with great reverence. Monks responsible for striking them bow before doing so, just as they would to a statue of the Buddha.

Since the sound of the bonshō can be heard from a great distance, it was also commonly used for other purposes, including as a warning for incoming typhoons.

Japan’s Bonshō Bells During World War 2

During World War II, many historic temple bells were requisitioned and melted down, causing profound loss to cultural heritage.

Beginning in 1938, the Japanese government called for the public collection of metals for its war in China. This included everything from manhole covers to playground equipment. Bonshō bells also became an obvious target for requisition, due to their large size. Some 45,000 of these bells are estimated to have been melted down at this time. Between the destruction of Allied bombings, and the governments scrap metal program, about 90% of Japan’s temple bells were destroyed by 1945.

Two-thirds of historic Edo-period bells were melted down. However, older bells from the Keichō (1596–1615) era were exempted from collection. Other bells, including those related to the imperial family or of exceptional quality were also preserved.

Due to the deep cultural significance of the bonshō bells, those that were donated to the war were sent off by crowds, as seen in the above pictures. Requisitioned bells also typically received a Buddhist memorial service in commemoration of their sacrifice.

Ringing of the bells at festivals and holidays

Throughout the liturgical year, the bonshō Buddhist temple bell plays a central role in key observances. On New Year’s Eve, the Japanese tradition of Joya no Kane (Buddhist New Year) calls for ringing the temple bells 108 times to dispel the 108 earthly desires and usher in a purified spirit. Each toll represents a step toward renewal, with the final strike heralding hope for the year ahead. 

The Bon Festival (Obon) is believed to welcome ancestral spirits. The bell’s deep timbre guides departed souls back to the world of the living and then gently encourages their return. Monks and laypeople alike gather at dusk to ring the bell in rhythmic patterns, evoking gratitude and remembrance. The practice underscores the bell’s capacity to connect communities — across generations and unseen realms — in shared reverence.

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:

The Emotional Toll of Wartime Bell Deployment in Japan
The Difference between a Bonsho and a Hansho
Britannica: Bon Japanese Festival

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