Korean Buddhist Bells, Drums and Daily Chanting

A day that begins in the dark

In many Korean monasteries the day starts long before sunrise. Monks, nuns and any guests staying overnight are traditionally woken in the very early hours, often around three or four in the morning, though the time varies by temple and season. The first sounds are those of the bell pavilion, followed by the morning service in the main hall. The same pattern is followed in the evening, in a shorter form.

The description here is general. Each monastery has its own schedule and customs, and practice differs between communities and orders.

The four instruments

Most larger Korean temples have a bell pavilion, called a beomjonggak, which houses four instruments. They are sounded in a set order:

• The Dharma drum (beopgo). A large drum, usually raised on a stand.
• The wooden fish (moktak or mokeo). A carved wooden instrument in the shape of a fish, also used by the chanter to keep time. In some temples a large version hangs in a hall.
• The cloud-shaped gong (unpan). A metal plate shaped like stylised clouds, struck with a mallet.
• The great bell (beomjong). A bronze bell, hung low and struck with a suspended wooden log.

A widely repeated explanation links each instrument to a group of beings who are thought to be reached by its sound. The drum is associated with animals of the earth, the wooden fish with creatures of the water, the cloud gong with birds and the bell with beings in the lower realms of existence. The bell is sometimes also said to be for all beings. It is a traditional interpretation rather than a rule, and temples may describe it differently. It fits with the Mahayana ideal of compassion for all living things, and with ideas found in Buddhist cosmology about the many realms of rebirth.

The sequence in the morning

The order of events can be summarised as follows, with the caveat that details differ.

1. Instruments in the bell pavilion. The drum, the wooden fish, the cloud gong and the bell are sounded in turn. The bell is often struck a fixed number of times; counts such as 28 in the morning and 33 in the evening are commonly cited, but temples differ.
2. Chanting in the main hall. Monastics gather before the principal image to chant. Texts often include short verses of homage, the Heart Sutra and invocations of Buddhas and bodhisattvas. The wooden fish keeps the rhythm.
3. Bowing. Prostrations are part of the service. A series of 108 bows is a well-known practice in Korea, linked to the traditional number 108 and often done as a separate exercise.
4. Meditation or study. Depending on the temple and season, the early hours may continue with seated meditation, which is the core of Seon practice, or with other duties before the morning meal.

In the evening, the instruments are sounded again, and there is a shorter service of chanting. Some temples also have a further chanting session at midday. This framework gives the day a regular structure without depending on clocks, and it is a good example of monastery daily life in the Korean tradition.

Why the sounds matter

The bell and drum serve a practical purpose, calling the community together across a large mountain site. They also carry meaning. The long, low sound of a Korean bell, which dies away slowly, is often described as an invitation to let go of distraction. That description is a devotional interpretation rather than a technical one, and visitors may find their own response differs.

Korean bells themselves have a distinctive form, with a hollow resonating chamber beneath the bell and a prominent top, and old examples are valued as works of art. Names of individual historic bells and their dates should be checked with reliable sources before they are quoted.

Joining in as a guest

Many temple stay programmes include the pre-dawn service, and it is usually optional or open in a quiet, observing role. If you take part, a few general points help:

• Arrive on time and in modest clothing, and sit or stand where you are directed.
• Stay quiet in the main hall, and follow the actions of those around you.
• Do not photograph during the service unless you are clearly told that it is allowed.
• You do not need to chant or bow if you are uncomfortable, but you should not disturb others.

Chants and bows are acts of devotion for the people performing them. Treat them with the same respect as you would in any place of worship. Times and what is open to guests change, so ask the temple or check its current information.