Temple Bell on New Year’s Eve　除夜の鐘

On the night of New Year’s Eve, Buddhist temples ring the New Year’s bell. According to the teachings of Buddhism, human beings have 108 vexations. In order to purge these vexations and welcome the New Year with a pure heart, the bells are rung from around 11:45 pm on New Year’s Eve to the New Year. At famous temples around the country, such as Hase Temple in Kamakura City and Shinshoji Temple in Narita City, there is a rush of people wishing to ring the bell, and numbered tickets are given out.

大晦日の夜、仏教寺院では除夜の鐘をつきます。仏教の教えでは、人間には１０８の煩悩があります。その煩悩を祓い、清い気持ちで新年を迎えるために、大晦日の夜１１時４５分ころから新年にかけて鐘をつきます。鎌倉市の長谷寺や成田市の新勝寺など、各地の有名なお寺では、鐘をつくための希望者が殺到し、整理券が配られます。