Zen Temple Experience

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Experience a Peaceful, Spiritual Retreat at a Charming Temple in Central Kanazawa

Founded in 1609, Chokyuji Temple of the Soto Zen school was built in honor of Tsusehime, younger sister of Maeda Toshiie, the first samurai lord of Kanazawa. The temple grounds still house her and her husband’s graves, as well as a pair of beautiful silver osmanthus trees, the largest in the prefecture and is nearly 400-year-old.

We welcome you to take a step inside for a meaningful spiritual journey and experience Zazen meditation and sutra copying with us.

©Tsutomu Yoshizaki

Zazen Meditation

In his famous essay Fukan Zazengi, the founder of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism, Eigei Dogen, says the following about Zazen meditation. “The Zazen I speak of is not learning meditation. It is simply the dharma-gate of repose and bliss, the practice-realization of totally culminated enlightenment.”
In this activity, you will get to learn the proper way to perform the Soto school’s Zazen meditation from our head priest. As Dogen mentioned, assuming the correct posture and clearing your mind is like opening a gate that leads to a deeper understanding of yourself. We also have chairs available for people with leg difficulties.

Sutra Copying

The practice of sutra copying has long been a traditional activity with history stemming back to the early days of Buddhism in East Asia. Copying a sutra is said to bring the grace of Buddha himself; many also perform it as a form of meditation. You will be copying a sutra on a sheet of calligraphy paper using a brush. The head priest will explain the proper way to copy, and you will get to choose from three manuscripts to do so. (In case of a group, we will have to ask you to choose the same manuscript.)

Details

Location

Central Kanazawa

Length

Zazen Meditation
・Lecture（about 10 min）
Firstly, our lovely head priest will explain to you how to properly perform a Zazen meditation, as well as things to take note of.

・Meditation session（about 20 min）
Then, you will get to try meditating in a tranquil space in the temple hall.

・Tea time（about 15 min）
After you finish meditating, we will then serve you tea as well as traditional Japanese confectionary to go along with it. While you are enjoying them, the head priest would love to hear your thoughts on the meditation, as well as answer any questions you may have!

Sutra Copying
・Preparation（about 10 min）

Choose one of the three manuscripts that resonates most with you, then hear an explanation from our head priest on how to properly copy sutra while enjoying some tea and traditional Japanese confectionary.
・Sutra copying session（takes from 15 – 60 min depending on the manuscript）
Get your hands on the brush and copy the sutra manuscript you chose!

・Incense offering（a few minutes）
Finish the session and offering incense.

Closed Days

Please note that reservations are not available during the Obon holiday period: from early to mid-July, and from early to mid-August.

Capacity

Zazen Meditation: from 1 person up to 30.

Sutra Copying: from 1 person up to 10.

Fees

Starting from 3,000 yen/person

Please note that an additional guide fee will apply if a guide is required.

Cancelation Policy

In the event of a cancellation, the following fees will apply:

・More than 10 days before the activity date: 30% of the total fee

・2 – 9 days before the activity date: 50% of the total fee

・1 day before or on the day of the activity: 100% of the total fee

Notes

・For Zazen meditation, comfortable clothes that allow you to easily assume the meditation posture are highly recommended. You will have to sit with crossed legs for a period of time!

・For Sutra copying, since you will be writing with ink, please wear something that you don’t mind getting dirty (avoid whites!).

・If you are driving, you can park within the temple grounds.

・Please note that there may also be other participants.

・The temple is an old building and can be quite hot in summer and cold in winter. Please wear appropriate clothes for the weather!

・In an extremely rare event that our head priest is required for sudden religious observance (mainly funerals or wakes), we will have to contact you and ask for a reschedule. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause.