Haoqi & Yichen : Muyu (Fish Drum)

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Haoqi: Are you acting COOL? Even muyu (fish drum) opens its eyes, why are you closing yours when you are chanting?

Yichen the novice: Muyu opens its eyes day and night to remind the practitioners not to lax in their practice, while I closed my eyes to be mindful.[center]

what is the function of muyu? Is Yichen's muyu the same as the type that is shaped like a fish, found in a temple?

Haoqi: Ah Gong, there is a question on Muyu. Aren't all muyu shaped like fish? I know the kind Yichen is holding, what is the the other kind Meijun is referring to?

Ah Gong: There are two kinds of fish drum, my boy. The one Yichen is holding is the round muyu, with the carving of two-headed dragon holding on to a pearl. This is used to keep the time when chanting. The other type of fish drum is long and is usually hung along the corridor or in the canteen of a temple. It is used to announce meal times, and is also known as the “rice drum”.

Haoqi: Dragon? Isn't it supposed to be Fish?

Ah Gong: Yes, the fish-shape eventually became a dragon as an indication of Man’s elevation to a Saint. Hi Meijun, if you would like to find out more about Muyu and other ritual implements, you can check Nagapuspa Volume 13, pp 94 - 101. http://www.btrts.org.sg/Nagapuspa/naga_vol13/vol13_pdf/P94_101_01.pdf ; http://www.btrts.org.sg/Nagapuspa/naga_vol13/vol13_pdf/P94_101_02.pdf

Haoqi: Yes, and you can play the game too! hee

Dear Haoqi and Ah Gong

Thank you so much for all the info on muyu. I will now look at muyu in a different light. : )

Oh, and I read the article on nagapuspa and played the game. I hope that there will be more such fun things to do and learn at the same time in future. Hee..