Go up along the zigzag ramp of Phoenix Fort, and you can see a hexagonal double-eaved bell pavilion with red columns. There is a horizontal plaque hanging on the pavilion forehead, inscribed with ‘Saint Accumulation Evening Bell’. The bronze bell inside was cast by Zen Master Biechuan during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. It weighs 12.5 tons, is 2.3 meters high, has a diameter of 2 meters, and the bell lip is in the shape of 12 lotus leaves with notches. There are some Buddhist scriptures, the names of some emperors and eminent monks in different dynasties engraved on the bell.
The Saint Accumulation Evening Bell is one of the ‘Ten Scenes of Emei’ in Emei Mountain, Sichuan Province. This bell was once hung in Saint Accumulation Temple outside the south gate. When heard closely, the sound is magnificent; when heard from afar, the sound is clear and melodious. It is said that the sound can be heard on the Golden Summit in the quiet night. It is believed that the bell sound can ‘wake up the stupid and the stubborn’, prompting people to reflect on themselves, review their mistakes, and correct their behaviors. Therefore, the bells in the temple are quite particular. This bronze bell is a top-notch one in Emei Mountain and is hailed as the ‘King of Bells in Bashu’. It is a very precious cultural relic.
