Korean Buddhist Temple Block: "Moktak"

This Buddhist temple block, called a "moktak," is used to keep time for chanting by monks in Buddhist temples. Its fish shape reminds the chanter that fish never sleep, and so is intended to focus the chanter and keep him from tiring.

The block is held with one hand and struck with the stick held by the other hand. A moktak is typically made from a hardwood, buy may sometimes be made of metal.

Buddhism is a religion in which people follow the teachings of the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) who lived and taught about 2500 years ago. Buddhists do not believe in a personal creator god. Buddhists believe in the Four Noble Truths, including that life is suffering because we are attached to our desires, but that suffering and attachment can be ended by living according to the Noble Eight-fold Path (ex. right thinking, right working, right speaking). The holy book is called the Tripitaka. It contains the teachings of the Buddha. Buddhists believe in rebirth after death (reincarnation). Their goal is to become Enlightened, to achieve Nirvana.
Source:
https://www.stillsitting.com/moktak-and-chukpi-korean-instruments-for-meditation/?srsltid=AfmBOooikNwYiC29QU3YS_DmwuVR0T0ANYnmYdgLV2B78sRxORYjW2Gf#