Why ring the bell 108 times?

[Tripitaka of AA]

At New Year, the temple bells are rung 108 times. My Japanese wife tells me...

... but she can't remember why!

You guys know more about tradition and culture than she does, so she asked me to ask you :).

[Hans Bachmann]

The Significance of 108 (http://www.vedicheritage.org/Arch%20More%202%20MarApr%2003.html)

Hans Bachmann

[sepai 85]

I read somewhere that 108 was also the orgin and history behind suparempie kata of goju ryu. Does anyone know anything further?

[Blackwood]

Thanks, Hans! Very educational.

Now, can anyone explain the significance of reaching the age of 73 in Japanese/Okinawan society?

[Tripitaka of AA]

Thanks for the link Hans. Although it was interesting in its own right, my wife did not recognise any of those reasons as the one she had heard before... which I thought was rather ungrateful, pah, what can you do {sigh}.

Anyone else got a reason for the 108 bell rings of New Year?

[cjl108]

It is possible that the "reason" for which the bells are rung 108 times varies according to a particular area.. especially as 108 has no significance in Shinto (except from possible influence from Buddhism). In a new years custom, it could have been adapted from another Buddhist celebration to correspond/compete with the traditional New Years celebration. Also what lay people or rather children are told when they are young may point to the real meaning of a particular ritual, but may often miss the mark...

cory leistikow

[cjl108]

also 1^1 * 2^2 * 3^3 = 108

cory leistikow