Finial of a Monk’s Staff, anonymous, c800. Java. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.In antiquity sound played a
Finial of a Monk’s Staff, anonymous, c800. Java. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.In antiquity sound played a major role in the Buddhist communities of Java. The bronze finial once adorned the top of a monk’s staff. The nine rings suspended from it would have jingled as he passed by, producing a purifying sound and also encouraging people to give alms. A Buddhist priest would use the handbell during a ritual, both to ward off evil spirits and to entreat the Buddhist deities. Similar staffs were used in other countries, such as Japan. -- source link
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