Ringing a Korean Temple Bell: Steps and 28 or 33 Strikes

Ringing the bell with a wish (giwon tajong) means striking a temple's great bell (beomjong) yourself and sending a wish out on its sound, in this order: half bow → take the rope of the striking log → strike → palms together and listen → half bow. At temples, the bell is commonly struck 28 times before the dawn service and 33 times before the evening service. At Hapjang (합장), the online temple Goyosa, you can ring the bell in the Bell Pavilion one to three times, once per real calendar day.

Strikes: Choose 1–3
Chances: Once per real calendar day
When you can't ring: Goyosa time 21:00–04:36, 17:00–18:18
Monks' bell: Goyosa time 03:20, 28 strikes · 17:20, 33 strikes
Together: People nearby can take part with "Join palms together"
Stamp: 鐘 in your notebook

Who is the temple bell rung for?

The great bell is one of the four Dharma instruments of a Korean mountain temple, along with the Dharma drum, wooden fish, and cloud gong. It is often said to be rung in the hope that its sound will reach even suffering beings deep beneath the earth, and that the minds of all who hear it will settle as the sound spreads out.

The log that strikes the bell is called the dangmok, and the lotus-patterned spot on the bell where it lands is called the dangjwa. Korean temple bells are known for their clear, long-lasting resonance.

Why 28 strikes at dawn and 33 at dusk?

The 28 strikes at dawn are commonly explained as sending the sound to the 28 heavens described in Buddhism, and the 33 strikes in the evening as reaching the 33 heavens of the Trayastrimsha (Dori) heaven. The number of strikes and their timing can vary a little from temple to temple.

The right frame of mind when ringing

Strike evenly rather than hard, and wait until the sound has died away before the next strike.
Settle on one wish, and as you strike, imagine entrusting that wish to the sound.
Listening to the resonance afterward is half of ringing the bell.

Steps for ringing the bell with a wish

Half bow Stand facing the bell, put your palms together, and make a half bow.
Take the rope Hold the rope tied to the striking log (dangmok) with both hands.
Hold a wish Settle your breathing and keep one wish in mind to send out with the sound.
Strike the bell Pull the rope back, then swing it forward to strike the bell. If striking more than once, wait for the resonance to fade before the next strike.
Palms together and listen Let go of the rope, put your palms together, and listen until the sound has fully spread.
Finish with a half bow Make another half bow toward the bell and step back.

Try it in Hapjang

Walk up to the bell in the Bell Pavilion and the Ring the bell window opens. Bow to the bell, take hold of the rope on the striking log, and choose to strike once, twice, or three times; the sequence then carries on through striking, joining palms to listen, and the closing half bow. You can do this once per real calendar day. During Goyosa time 21:00–04:36 and 17:00–18:18, the bell can't be rung, leaving room for the monks' Dharma drum, bell, and services and for the night hours. People near you see "Join palms together" and can take part without a word.

Enter the temple

Frequently asked questions

Why do temples ring the bell 28 and 33 times?

A common explanation is that the 28 strikes at dawn are meant to reach the 28 heavens, and the 33 strikes in the evening the 33 heavens of the Trayastrimsha heaven. The number and timing can vary slightly from temple to temple.

How many times a day can I ring the bell in Hapjang?

Once per real calendar day, and each time you can strike it one to three times.

Why can't I ring the bell at certain times?

During the night hours of Goyosa time and around the dawn and evening services, the time is kept free because the monks strike the Dharma drum and bell and hold the service.

Last updated 2026-11-07