Courtyard Sound Field Characteristics by Bell Sounds in Han Chinese Buddhist Temples

Dongxu Zhang,Chunxiao Kong,Mei Zhang,Qi Meng

doi:10.3390/app10041279

Abstract

The acoustic environments of Han Chinese Buddhist temples have long played an important role in the development of Buddhism. This study explored the effects of layouts and spatial elements of Han Chinese Buddhist temples on courtyard sound fields. First, sound fields of three traditional Han Chinese courtyards were measured, and results were compared with sound field simulations to determine the appropriate acoustic and software parameter setting for ancient building materials in the context of sound field simulation. Next, a sound field model for standard forms of Han Chinese Buddhist temples was built and analysed. Results indicate that in traditional Buddhist temples, spatial elements—such as the height and sound absorption coefficient of temple courtyard walls, position of courtyard partition walls, and the position and height of bell towers—could significantly affect the sound pressure level (SPL), reverberation time (RT), and musical clarity (C80) of each courtyard. However, enclosure materials, such as those used in roofs, on the ground, and in windows of Han Chinese Buddhist temples, had relatively small effects on temple courtyard sound fields.

Highlights

Han Chinese Buddhism has a history of more than 2000 years in China
This study focuses on courtyard sound fields of Han Chinese Buddhist temples and employs acoustic software (ODEON 13.02, Copenhagen, Denmark) to simulate typical courtyard sound fields, with the aim of revealing the effects exerted by temple layouts, various spatial elements, and sound sources
All decreasing values exceeded the JND. These results indicate that changes to temple courtyard wall height will affect courtyard sound fields

Summary

Introduction

Han Chinese Buddhism has a history of more than 2000 years in China. During this time, HanChinese Buddhist temples’ courtyards have provided monks and believers with a pleasant environment for religious practice; they have served as an important public activity space in ancientChina [1]. Han Chinese Buddhism has a history of more than 2000 years in China. During this time, Han. Chinese Buddhist temples’ courtyards have provided monks and believers with a pleasant environment for religious practice; they have served as an important public activity space in ancient. Throughout history, good acoustic environments of temples have played an important role in the development and spread of Buddhism. The bell ringing and chanting performed in temples form a unique religious sound field that makes a deep impression on visitors and helps believers reproduce the wonderful world of Buddha in their hearts, while participating in religious activities and co-creating a religious artistic conception of Buddhism with visual environments [2]. Wang [3] analysed the developmental history of

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Conclusion