Do you know zazen? Zazen is a kind of meditation practiced in Zen school of Buddhism. Some Zen temples hold zazen sessions for citizens on regular basis.
Webmaster participated in an English zazen session at Soji-ji Temple last week. Soji-ji Temple holds an English zazen session almost once a month.
Access: Tokyo (local train 0:27) Tsurumi (walk 0:07) @
The main entrance and the approach to the temple
The first Sanshokan Gate on the approach
The second Sanmon Gate on the approach. It’s huge!
After the gates, you’ll find a building called “Koshakudai” on your right where the reception desk for zazen session is set. The entry fee for a zazen session is ￥500 per person.
The reception is on the right of the corridor and the waiting room is on the left. Of course, you need to take your shoes off at the entrance hall.
The schedule of the session in which Webmaster participated was as follows;
9:45-10:15 Application at the reception desk
10:30-11:30 Zazen practice (including instruction)
11:45-12:30 English guide tour of Soji-ji Temple (optional)
As Webmaster himself tried zazen, no photo was taken during the meditation. Instead, the copy of a leaflet on the next English zazen session is posted here, in which a photo of participants in meditation is shown.
After the zazen session, there was an English guide tour inside the temple by monks. Although the tour is optional, it’s worthwhile joining. You can take photos freely during the tour, but are not allowed to take photos of individual monks and ceremonies.
Its precincts are huge with pure atmosphere and there are many impressive buildings. If you have time after the zazen sesssion and the guide tour, it is recommended to have a stroll in the precincts.
End.