Japanese people stand close to a fire to warm up during the New Year blessing at the Sagami-ji Buddhist temple on January 1, 2013 in Kasai, Japan. Japanese people attend the Buddhist temple at midnight on December 31 for the ringing of the temple bell to welcome in the New Year or 'Omisoka' as it is known in Japan. In Japanese belief there are 108 elements to the human mind, so the bell is rung 108 times as a blessing of happiness for the New Year.
{"Image ImageDescription": "KASAI, JAPAN - JANUARY 01:  Japanese people stand close to a fire to warm up during the New Year blessing at the Sagami-ji Buddhist temple on January 1, 2013 in Kasai, Japan. Japanese people attend the Buddhist temple at midnight on December 31 for the ringing of the temple bell to welcome in the New Year or 'Omisoka' as it is known in Japan. In Japanese belief there are 108 elements to the human mind, so the bell is rung 108 times as a blessing of happiness for the New Year.  (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)", "Image Copyright": "2013 Buddhika Weerasinghe"}