Kansai– category –

At Kounji Temple, zazen (zen meditation ) sessions are held every Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. I happened to be staying at a nearby hotel, so I attended a zazen session. As I was doing zazen, I heard the sound of frogs croaking outside the main hall. As I sat there, breathing slowly, I felt very calm.

Zuikoji Temple was founded in 1655. The main hall has a thatched roof. The main image of the temple is a statue of Sakyamuni enshrined inside the hall. A white dragon is enshrined near the entrance to the temple grounds. It is said that washing money here will bring you good fortune.

Daisenin is a sub-temple of Daitokuji Temple, founded in 1509. It is famous for its Hojo (main hall), which is designated as a national treasure of Japan, and its beautiful dry landscape garden. There is a "Premium Zazen Experience Course" for groups of 2 to 6 people.

At Nanzenji Temple, zen meditation sessions are held on the second and fourth Sunday mornings of every month. I practiced zazen in the large hall and in front of the dry landscape garden. I could hear the babbling water, the birds singing and feel the wind blowing, and it really calmed my mind.

Zenkyoan is a sub-temple of Kenninji Temple. This temple is dedicated to Marici, the deity of heat haze in ancient India. Boars are said to be messengers of Marici, and there are many boar statues within the temple grounds. Once a month, a Zazen (Zen meditation) and sermon meeting is held.

Ryosokuin is a sub-temple of Kenninji Temple, founded in 1358. There is a beautiful Japanese garden and a temple dedicated to Bishamonten (Vaisravana). Regular zazen sessions are held, and group zazen sessions are also available. The program includes zazen, sermons, and a stroll around the temple grounds.

Syunkoin is a sub-temple of Myoshinji Temple that was built in 1590. You can rent out the Hojo, an important cultural property, exclusively for a special Zen experience. Zazen instruction is available in English. If you're interested, please make a reservation and participate.

Taizoin is a sub-temple of Myoshinji Temple that was built in 1404. After paying the admission fee and entering the temple grounds, you will find the main hall, an important cultural property. If you go further, you will come across a dry landscape garden and a strolling pond garden.

Mikane-jinja Shrine enshrines the guardian deity of metals and minerals. Gold coins have been minted in this area since ancient times. The name "Mikane" means money in Japanese, so the shrine has become famous as a shrine for financial luck. There is a golden torii gate at the entrance.

Chionin Temple is the head temple of the Jodo sect. Morning services are held every morning from 6:30 am. No reservations are required and anyone can attend as long as they arrive at the start time. I was allowed to enter the inner sanctuary of the Mieido Hall, which is normally off-limits.