The role of the bell in daily life
In the Buddhist tradition this hand bell is tied to the female principle of wisdom and is often used together with the dorje in rituals. In daily life, however, you can use it in many ways: it looks beautiful on a wooden shelf as a decorative piece, it can serve as a table bell to mark the start of a meal, and before and after meditation it can be part of a fine framing ritual. Its height is 15.7 cm, its rim diameter 8 cm, and it weighs 290 g.
Ganesha and OM on the handle
On the upper part of the handle you can see the figure of the deity Ganesha, with the OM symbol below. Ganesha represents wisdom and intelligence; tradition holds that he is invoked before new ventures, before moving home or before an important decision, because he is known as a remover of obstacles. OM recalls the fundamental sound. Together the two emblems offer a beautifully rounded message.
Sound and use
The 290 g weight and 8 cm rim diameter give a full, slightly deeper chime that rings audibly for about fifteen seconds. You can sound it gently with a soft wooden striker tapped on the rim (sold separately), but it already gives a lovely tone when you carefully swing it by the handle.
As a table bell
Many families use it as a table bell: a younger child rings it at the start of dinner, calling everyone to the table. This ritual is easy to establish and is pleasant for children too, because the tone is not sharp but gentle and full. A small wooden mat protects the table from any fine scratches the brass might otherwise leave.
Material and craftsmanship
The bell is made of solid brass, hand-cast and hand-polished in Nepal. The shape of the handle and the engravings are formed individually, so every example is gently unique. The 290 g mass is well-proportioned to the 15.7 cm height; this ensures a tone of real depth and that the object stands steadily on a table or shelf.