“To study Buddhism is to study ourselves. To study ourselves is to forget ourselves.” – Dōgen Zenji, founder of the Sōtō school of Zen
Experience Outline
Discover the mindful skills of Zen by joining the Zenpoji monks in their daily practices.
Experience Details
Zenpoji has a unique affinity with the sea and the Shonai region has prospered from this sacred connection to the ocean. The temple has benefited from centuries of investment by the local community, and has developed a character unique among Zen temples, influenced by nature worship in the nearby Dewa Sanzan mountains.
Under the guidance of the Zen monks, with the support of your interpreter, you will seek a mindset of stillness and focus. Through seated meditation (zazen), brush calligraphy, and chanting, you have the opportunity to find stillness and strength of mind applicable in your daily life.
Even your lunch is a unique opportunity not only to try traditional Shojin cuisine, but to participate in the Zen mealtime rituals practiced by the monks for centuries. Sharing in the everyday activities at Zenpoji is a chance for your to draw from a millennia of Zen experience and distill the relevance and mindfulness into your modern life.
Duration
10:30 – 14:30 (4 hours)
Includes
Zenpoji monk guide, Japanese to English interpreter, traditional Zen style lunch, materials for calligraphy.
Schedule
All year round, except ritual and festival days of special temple events.
Local Advice
Zenpoji is a place of worship and as such we advise participants to wear modest clothing in muted colours. We recommend loose, comfortable clothes (no skirts) as you will be sitting cross-legged on the floor (chairs available for those who need them). The monks at Zenpoji conduct much of their activity in silence, so we would ask participants to refrain from talking in the main areas, and to speak softly when necessary.
Minimum Participants
1
Guides
Eiji Shinozaki
Yuichi Otomo
Ryuhei Abe
Ryuko Ueno
Language
English
Cancellations
The cancellation policy can be found here.
Health and Safety
Please note that those with vegetarian or vegan diets cannot currently be catered for. The monks observe a simple, largely plant-based diet, but dashi and katsuo are used in their meals.
Meeting Spot
Getting Here
Transport is not included. Zenpoji is best accessed by private car or taxi. It is a 15-20 minute drive from central Tsuruoka.
Meeting Spot
Zenpoji Temple, Sekine-100 Shimogawa, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-1117, Japan
Finishing Spot
Zenpoji Temple, Sekine-100 Shimogawa, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-1117, Japan
Prices
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CONTACT
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Yabase, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan
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Megurun aims to support sustainable rural communities. To achieve these aims, we gained a travel agency license registered with the governor of Yamagata Prefecture: Region 282.