About Wooden fish

A wooden fish, also known as a Chinese temple block. is a wooden percussion instrument. The wooden fish is used by monks and lay people in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. It is often used during rituals usually involving the recitation of sutras, mantras, or other Buddhist texts. The wooden fish is mainly used by Buddhist disciples in China, Japan, Korea, and other East Asian countries where the practice of Mahayana, such as the ceremonious reciting of sutras, is prevalent. In most Zen/Ch'an Buddhist traditions, the wooden fish serves to keep the rhythm during sutra chanting. In Pure Land Buddhism, it is used when chanting the name of Amitabha.
The inner altar with the painted scroll of the Buddha

Buddhist ritual implements – Items of outer devotion

Most Buddhists use ritual in pursuit of their spiritual aspirations. Common devotional practices are receiving a blessing, making merit, making a resolution, prostrating, making offerings, chanting traditional texts and pilgrimage. Buddhism regards inner devotion as more important than outer ritual. However, rituals do have an important place in Buddhism. Buddhist rituals take place through several practices, expressed through physical movement, speech, and mind. This is a list of Buddhist ritual implements used in some Buddhist .