Old Bell Museum

Click for larger image.	This is the oldest bell we saw. It is from the Yuan Dynasty.
	This bell is from the Ming Dynasty, and it is in mint condition. It was cast in 1461, 30 years before Columbus discovered America.
	The sheer size of this bell is astounding! Believe it or not, this bell weighs more than me. It is 45,000 Kg. And it is inscribed with a quarter of a million Han and Sanscrit sutras. Really amazing. This is one of the most famous bells in the world. It was nearly a hundred years old when Columbus discovered America. But it has not been here that long. It was brought here when the temple was built in 1733. But that means that it is suspended from a wood frame structure that is, itself, nearly 300 years old!
Click for larger image.	Most of the bells at the Old Bell Museum are Buddhist bells. But they also have a special room for Christian church bells. Believe it or not, this is a genuine original Gillette and Johnston church bell from the old foundry in Croydon, England. It came from an old church in France. No idea how it ended up here.
Click for larger image.	James and me in the church bell room. Behind us is a church bell from an old church in Finland. James pointed out to me that Buddhist bells are rung from the outside, but church bells are rung from the inside. Interesting, huh?
	Have you ever seen the inside of a bell? I have. Actually, it's kinda dark in there. Not much to see. Interesting, though. Please don't ring it while I'm inside.

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