Kenninji
Kenninji Temple was founded in 1202 and is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. It is the head temple of the Kenninji branch of the Rinzai sect. Many cultural assets have been preserved, including the National Treasure Wind God and Thunder God Screen, architecture, gardens, paintings, and more.
Zazen meditation session surrounded by gardens and paintings
At Kenninji Temple, a Zazen (Zen meditation) session is held every second Sunday of the month from 7:30 am. In July, the event will be held for three days from the second Friday to Sunday, starting at 6:30 a.m. Closed in August.
No reservation is required, just arrive on time to participate.
I arrived before 7 and was able to enter the hall. There were free lockers at the entrance. I put in 100 yen when I used it, but I got the money back when I took my luggage out.
Further inside, there were over 100 cushions lined up for zazen. I was free to choose where to sit.
I decided to do zazen next to the dry landscape garden.
By the time the event started, most of the seats were filled. If you want to choose your spot, it’s best to arrive early.
Try zazen meditation
Before the zazen session began, I was instructed to first take off my coat and socks. There were no other detailed explanations and the zazen session began immediately.
As I crossed my legs, straightened my back, and breathed slowly, my mind gradually began to calm down. The sound of the wind and the birds chirping could be heard quietly.
However, it was a cold, snowy day, and my body gradually began to get cold. If you are participating in the winter, it is best to dress warmly.
It was so cold that I was losing my concentration, so I asked the monk to use a zen stick. Since talking is forbidden during zazen, I signaled by joining my hands together. After being tapped twice on each side below my shoulders, I felt refreshed.
Sutra chanting and sermons
After the zazen session, we all chanted the Heart Sutra. Afterwards, a Buddhist monk gave a sermon. When I attended, the Zen teachings that emphasize the importance of living each day carefully were discussed.
The talk was in Japanese, so if you don’t understand, I think it’s best to just enjoy the atmosphere of the temple.
