The bell and drum culture in Taoist temples

The bell and drum culture has a long history in our country and are two types of percussion instruments in ancient times. According to written records, when the Yellow Emperor fought against the Yan Emperor, he beat bells and drums to boost morale. But it was really widely used in the era of making rituals and music. The Taoist Shifang Forest emphasizes the "permanent bell board", which means that the Taoist forest uses the bell board as a command to summon Taoists, tell time, and arrange daily affairs. There is a strict customization for the handover of the bell plate, which is called "passing the clamp hammer". The pliers are connected to each other, tightly interlocking, and the energy is harmonious. It is not disordered and not chaotic. It is elegant, quiet and solemn. It is the etiquette of permanent residence, so you should be careful in doing it. The bells and drums on the second floor are located on the left and right in front of the main hall. In ancient times, they were known as "left bells and right drums". The early morning is called "Kai Jing", which means opening up the silence of the night, and the evening is called "Jing Jing", which means stopping the activities of the day and returning to tranquility. The bells are struck first in the morning and then the drums, and the drums are struck first and then the bells in the evening, so it is also called "morning bells and evening drums".

The bells in Taoist temples are generally divided into four types: big bells, chiming bells, confession bells and imperial bells. The confession bell and the imperial bell are used in the dojo, while the big bell and the chime bell are used for opening and quieting. "Xunzi's "Lectures on Music" said: "Fan Zhong is the first of golden music... In the Brahma Palace and the Immortal Palace, it must be used to show the sincerity of those who pay homage, and to evoke the songs of ghosts and gods." In "Mengxi Bi Tan", the Bian Zhong is mentioned He made an incisive analysis of the pronunciation characteristics of each round bell, and concluded that the sound produced by a round bell lasts much longer than that of a bell with an olive-shaped mouth. Therefore, Taoist temples often use large bells with a round mouth. The bells in ancient times were originally. They were made of bamboo, wood and pottery. Later, there were stone bells and metal bells with fixed pitches. There were usually inscriptions on the bells to show the sacredness and majesty of the bells. Note: "In ancient times, chimes and chimes were used for sacrificial music. Each frame is sixteen, with twelve rhythms and clear sounds from the four palaces, and there are also special hanging bells and chimes. Those who are especially hanging are hanging alone. The golden bells, jade chimes, and big bells on the cave table today are all based on this. Its big bronze chime is used to strike the fou. In Zhou rites, the Fu family is the bell and the Qing family is the chime. "Our country has been making bronze bells since ancient times. In the twenty-eighth volume of "Guanghong Mingji", in the fifth year of Tianhe of the Northern Zhou Dynasty (566 AD), the Great Zhou Jiao Zhongming (made by Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty) was made. The following are the various bells. To introduce:

1. The big bell

Also known as the bell, it is usually about 1.5 meters high and 0.6 meters in diameter. It is hung on the bell tower and is used to summon Taoists day and night. To tell the time. The upper part of the big bell is carved with a dragon head, called a fisherman, and the lower part has two opposite lotus-shaped striking seats, also known as eight leaves. The two seats are connected by two cross-shaped strips at right angles, called Liudao; There are small ring-shaped protrusions on the upper part, which are called Ruguo; from the bumper base down, it is called the grass, and the lower edge is called the Juzhao. Generally, in Taoism, bells and drums cannot be hung except in the Shifang Jungle, so there is a "Bell Ban Jungle". There are big bells and drums hanging in the jungle, which are usually used for quieting on the 30th and 14th nights. They are used for quieting on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, which is called "opening the great silence and stopping the great silence".

There are many reasons why the big bell strikes 108 times. One of them is based on Chen Yuanlong's "Ge Zhi Jing Yuan" quoted from "Cyanotic Pearl": "Every time the bell strikes 18 times, it corresponds to the twelfth month, the twenty-four qi, and the seventy-two hours." There is a belief that it can clear up one hundred and eight kinds of troubles and worries. Taoism has very strict customs for hitting the big bell. At five o'clock in the morning, the dormitory hand over the board to the bell, and the bell takes over the "three clears" and rolls three times. "Luo Siyu" is handed over to Dazhong. Dazhong takes over "Sanqing", first tight and then slow, and at night, slow and then tight. The attack method is "Thirteen tight, slow fourteen". "Luo Si Yu" pays tribute to the big drum. When the big bell is struck, the "Zhong Wen" is also recited silently. In the morning, he starts to chant: "Hearing the sound of the bell, I worship the Lord, leave the hell, come out of the pit of fire, and wish to achieve enlightenment and save all sentient beings." Recite the treasure number "Jade Emperor Great Heavenly Lord Xuan Qiong Gao Shen" for one strike; "Nine Heavens Yingyuan Thunder Universal Transformation Heavenly Lord" two strikes; "Look for the voice to go to thank Taiyi to save the suffering Heavenly Lord" three strikes "Thirteen recitations: "The Supreme Infinite Ancestor Hunyuan Emperor's Moral Heavenly Lord". One word and one blow. After finishing the "Slow Fourteenth", recite: "On Shuo Dan (on the first day of the Lunar New Year, stop and recite "Moon Hui"), the Hong bell strikes at the beginning, and the sound of the golden bell in the empty valley passes through. , I wish the country and Zuo a long life, and I hope that all the people will be in peace. The emperor's plan will consolidate the mountains and rivers, and the civil and military positions will be promoted. The world will be wary and peaceful. The sun will last forever, and the sun of Shun will come. Good men and women from far and near will increase their blessings, extend their lives, and gain peace. I, all my ministers, will take refuge in it with sincerity. Life gift, incredible merit and virtue" one sentence at a time.

Bi Jie hit "Thirteen Tight", the text is the same as before. Bi Jie hit the second translation of "Slow Shi Shi" and read: "Hong Zhong knocks on the gate of the mountain twice, the Tao and the wonderful law will prosper forever, parents, teachers and Tao partners, each will be safe and receive heaven." Well, everyone has a share in learning the Tao and cultivating the truth. Protect and practice without demons. The yellow buds grow more and more day by day. The white snow moistens the morning and prolongs the age. The innate Qi comes to transport and transform. The three talents and five elements of spirit. The Bagua cooperates with the Yin and Yang Tao to realize the wonderful insights. The music is complete, the ministers and others are committed to the ritual, and the merits are incredible." One sentence at a time. Bi followed the "Tight Thirteen" text before, and Bi then followed the "Slow Fourteen" and read: "The Hong Bell knocks three times and the six paths are connected. The ancestors of the past generations have ascended early. The casualties on the battlefield are born in blessed places. The lonely souls return home to be sacrificed and enjoyed." All nine secluded realms and ten categories are freed from suffering, reborn early in life as humans and gods, sacred and true, birds and beasts freed from the snare, all living beings in the three realms benefit from blessings, the weather is favorable and the people are happy, the grain is plentiful and enjoy peace, cloud friends and good friends are on the road, and the guardian spirits are safe and peaceful, ministers, etc. The sincerity and devotion to one's destiny bring incredible merit and virtue." One sentence at a time, "Luo Siyu" is completed, the big drum is stopped, the big bell is still at night, "Slow Fourteen" is the same as above, "Tight Eleven Thoughts": "Taiyi saves the suffering, the Great Heavenly Lord Qingxuan Jiuyang God", One word and one blow.

2. Bells

Chimes are smaller than big bells and are usually hung in front of the main hall and are mainly used to tell the time. In the Taoist jungle, in addition to the large bells used for great silence on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, and the large bells used for great silence on the thirtieth and fourteenth day of the lunar month, the chime bell is used for quiet silence on ordinary days. It is called "opening small quietness" and "stopping small quietness". The chiming bell also strikes 108 times, but the inscriptions on the bells read are different, and the inscriptions on the morning and evening bells are the same. Think of the "Three Pure Ones": one strike of "Yu Qing", one strike of "Shang Qing", and one strike of "Tai Qing". Then hit one of the seven star points and silently recite each word: "The Jade Emperor forgives sins, the Great Heavenly Lord". Then silently recite the Eight Diagrams and the Twelve Earthly Branches, word by word: "Qiankan Genzhen Xunli Kundui, Zichou Yinmaochen Siwu Shenyou Shuhai", Taoism calls the above "tight, seven, slow, eight, level and twelve". After that, he struck another seven-star point and silently recited: "Three-Yuan Sin-Forgiveness Great Heavenly Lord". Add another Eight Diagrams and Twelve Earthly Branches, hit a Seven Star Point and recite silently: "Taiyi saves the suffering Great Heavenly Lord". Then attack the Eight Diagrams and the Twelve Earthly Branches. Finally, "fall to the four emperors" and hand the board to the palace drum.

3. Confession Bell

The confession bell is a small bell hanging on the left side of the temple drum. It is mostly used in Buddhist temples. Because Taoism often uses confession bells and palace drums to raise the court when paying homage and repentance, it is called "repentance bell". The bell is usually struck with the sound of raindrops. It is the continuation and evolution of the Shang bell in ancient sacrificial music. In ancient times, it was erected on a wooden base and struck in the hand. Taoist confession bells are still rung on wooden bases.

4. The Imperial Bell

The so-called Imperial Bell is roughly the same shape as the Bell Bell and the Big Bell, except that the lower mouth is not lotus-shaped but round and flat, and the size is smaller than the Confession Bell. Much. The Imperial Bell is usually held in the hand, so the Dharma pestle, which is at most an inch long, is where the hand is held. There is a long metal impact object inside the imperial bell, which is connected to the top of the imperial bell by a thread. Once the hand is shaken, the imperial bell will make a pleasant sound during the impact. In fact, this is the bell used by Buddhist practitioners in Buddhist rituals today. The Imperial Bell is an ancient magical instrument that has been passed down to this day. In ancient times, wizards held the Imperial Bell in their hands. In Taoist murals, classics and other cultural relics, we can find gods holding imperial bells. The imperial bell is a magical object in the hands of the gods. In the Taoist scriptures, the imperial bell is placed on the left side and is called Lin, while the imperial bell on the right side is called Lang. Some imperial bells are also engraved with charms, idols, scriptures and decorated with gold, silver and jade, which are dazzling and dazzling, so they are praised as "dazzling". . In Taoist rituals, the emperor's bell is controlled by confession, and its ringing is also strictly customized. Generally, "wind-blowing bells" are used in places such as chanting outlines and raising heavenly gods, and "drip-water bells" are used in places such as chanting sutras, ritual edicts, and confessions. "Zi", and only bells are used to accompany the sighs. It is a widely used instrument in Taoist rituals.

The drum is also one of the percussion instruments. Made of gold, wood, jade, stone, etc., they come in various shapes and sizes and are commonly used in temples for ritual purposes.

In the early days of our country, drums were used for ceremonies, dances, military formations, etc. The drums were hung on the upper floors and were called drum towers. The appearance of drum towers was no later than the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Perhaps earlier, in the Spring and Autumn Period, drums were hung on city towers to call the police. In fact, in ancient times, it was only limited to villages and towns, and later it became popular in cities.

"Xunzi's "Music Theory" said: "The king who encourages his music is evil! "So the drum is like the sky and the bell is like the earth. Therefore, Taoism calls the drum the king of magical instruments. Many famous drummers and drum societies have appeared in Taoism in the past dynasties. In early 1991, the Shaanxi Xi'an City God's Temple Drum Festival was invited by France, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain His performances in other countries have fascinated audiences at home and abroad. Many Chinese folk drum music tunes come from Taoism.

We know that the famous Taoist music performer Blind A Bing was a good drummer. Another example is the famous Nangu King Zhu Qinfu, who was a Taoist priest who went from being a Taoist drum master to a music conservatory professor.

In ancient my country, earthen drums were used. The "Book of Rites" "Mingtang Wei" said: "The earthen drums, 蒉桴, reedweeds, and Yiqi's music are also the music." It is also said: "The music of the Xiahou family is "Drum foot", this is to make the instrument stable, and feet are installed on the clay drum frame.

The drums used in Taoism are three types: big drum, palace drum and tambourine. They are introduced below:

1. Dagu

The diameter of the big drum is about one meter long. Except for "opening the great silence" and "stopping the great silence", the large drum is handed over to the "four royal banquets" in the early morning. Bell, chime the bell, take the "Sanqing", roll it three times and turn it over, "Luosiyu", and give it to the big bell. After turning it three times, hand over the "Fouryuban" to the big drum. In front of the big drum, take the "Sanqing" and hold the two hammers beside the drum. Top: "呑-呑呑-呑" four times, then: "咚-咚-咚咚咚-咚-呑(beat the drum)", and silently recite: "Thunder-sound-pu Transform the sky - Zun". Then the second sound: "Dong-dong-dong-dong-dong-dong-呑呑". Then the third sound: "Dong-dong-dong-dong-dong-dong- - 呑 - 呑呑 - 呑." After the three clearings were completed, the drums were played in a long formation, from slow to fast, and at the beginning silently recited: "The sound of thunder universalizes the Heavenly Lord." There are sounds of wind, clouds, thunder, rain, lightning, hail, etc. At this time, there are many technical drum beats, such as "one horse alone accounts for one horse", "domesticating the bridge over Surabaya", "quick horse whipping" and other drum beats. One sound, then from slow to fast. After the second turn, beat the drum twice, then turn from slow to fast, and then beat the drum four times.

Second, the hall. Drum

The palace drum is a medium-sized drum placed in the main hall, either vertically or horizontally on a wooden frame. It is generally used in daily rituals. In the Taoist jungle, drumming is used to gather people in the temple for daily exercises. Generally speaking, the three-way drum is used to open the altar for chanting. The technique of playing the drum is similar to that of the big drum. The master of the main hall also beats the incense drum when burning incense. In fact, the drum is mostly used in rituals, and the drum is the "drum" in the Taoist altar. "King of Dharma Instruments", in general altars, especially when worshiping and repenting or setting off flames, the drummers are mostly retired senior practitioners or experienced old scripture masters. In Shaanxi, it was passed down by Taoist Master Wang Silin. The song "The Little Widow Goes Upstairs" is played on the drum in a rich and colorful way. It is applauded and loved by Taoists and religious people.

3. Tambourine

The so-called tambourine. That is, you hold a beating drum in your hand, some with handles, and some without handles. They are generally used to "turn to the gods" on the altar outside the temple, or "go to heaven and earth", "bless generals", "sacrifice orphans", and " "Photography" and other dojos. Some drummers can only play the drum with one hand and hold the drum with the other, so they call their drumming method: "one horse and one occupation", and the drum beats are also very nice.

In short, the Taoist "music of bells and drums" belongs to pure ancient Chinese ritual music culture. Now we think that the range, temperament, timbre and volume of "music of bells and drums" are far from being able to express a person with a certain program and a certain degree of symphonic musical thinking. However, its significance in the history of human music, and even in the history of human culture, cannot be overestimated. The strong and steely figure, the deep carvings, and the symbolic inscriptions are enough to express a kind of infinite, primitive, simple, simple, and even chaotic religious feelings and beliefs, reflecting the sustenance and hope of the ancestors. and worship.