New Years Eve Bell Ringing

The custom of the ringing of the Temple bell 108 times at the year-end originated in the Chinese Zen monasteries of the Song dynasty. There are said to be 108 transgressions (bonnou in Japanese). This was introduced to the Japanese Zen monasteries during the Kamakura period. The custom of the bell ringing was adopted by other Buddhist sects but sporadically waned and then gained in popularity during the ensuing centuries.