D. Bell Pavilion (Still Image)

D. Bell Pavilion

In 1998 the bell was sitting outside the Great Hall; the pavilion was built later. The story of its creation is told on panels that were cast into the bell itself. 

Panel 1

We respectfully wish long life to the current Emperor. May good fortune extend to the prefectural and county officials, the armies, and all the people.

Erected by the former abbot and general administrator, Monk Daoyuan


Panel 2

The treasured bell of Longquan was destroyed by rebel arson in the xinchou year [=1121]. Daoyuan Minfa mourned that it would not be passed on, he thereupon put forth his own means to restore it. The local degree candidate Jiang Jin reverently offers this inscription for it. “Truly empty and without image, it makes use of what has form. Subtle functioning that is difficult to describe, it is transmitted by what has sound. Form and sound are not destroyed; the dharma is realized. Ring it and it sounds true; neither thunder nor clap, it relieves the distressed and warns the indolent. It penetrates the mysterious, it accesses the divine power. Not only for a thousand or a myriad years, may it eternally secure this radiant courtyard.”

(the rebel arson refers to the rebellion led by Fang La, which swept through the area in 1121; see the map)

Panel 3

Female disciple 6^th Sister Liu and the wife of the male Chen Hao 16^th Sister Xia donate 30 strings.

Female disciple 4^th Sister Ye donates 30 strings of her own.

Female disciple 3^rd Sister Liu and the male Xia Tanlang donate 30 strings.

Female disciple 3^rd Sister Chen and the wives of the males Wang Tong and Wang Xian, 21^st Sister Pan and 4^th Sister Xia, donate 30 strings.

Female disciple 8^th Sister Yao and the wife of the male Chen Lin 19^th Sister Liu donate 15 strings.

Disciple Xia Boying, his wife 8th Sister Wang, and the wife of the male Gao 18^th Sister Dan donate 15 strings.

Zhang Sheng’s wife 2^nd Sister Zhou donates 15 strings. Yan Guangyi, the wife of Pan Sinian 7^th Sister Ye, wife of Ye Wei 11^th Sister Zheng, mother of Liu Shihua 3^rd Sister Xu, and wife of Su Side 4^th Sister Zhou each donate ten strings.

(most of the panels are records of contributions to the temple to cast the bell).

Panel 7

In the gengshen year [=1080], 1^st month, 24^th day, the former abbot Changyu had donated 500,000 for casting. In the xinchou year [1121] it was destroyed in the fires of war. It was recast after collecting extra material and once more asking for the help of believers. Desiring merit we offer this to the master and administrator of Changyu Hall, the monk Xitan.