Happy New Year

a hundred and eight bells - the traditional end to the old year. We sit in the meditation hall, first sharing our reflections and memories of the old year in our traditional gathering, then walking and chanting nembutsu - Namo Amida Bu. Then, sitting circling the shrine we ring the bell. There are six of us, so first we each strike it nine times, passing it on round the circle. Then we each ring it six times. Finally three times. As the last bell rings we chant Namandabu ten times to be greeted by fireworks that mask the new year's arrival from many of the neighbouring gardens.