I have been interested in Zen and I study in books etc for 10 years. The number of people who practice meditation, mindfulness, breathing methods are increasing, so I am happy as a Zen lover. I sometimes practice Zen meditation, today is about that.
Chokokuji (zen temple in Nishiazabu, Tokyo) offers its Zazenkai (group Zazen session) from 6:30pm to 8:30pm every Mondays. Participation fee is 100 yen. For participants who need language assistance in English, it is highly recommended to come with an interpreter on the first day (introduction) and the second day (the first Zen session) since we cannot provide translation service. From the third day, you could come by yourself.
I can do “Just sitting” at my place but the reason why I go to Zazekai is I like the atmosphere. Despite the city center of Nishiazabu, the temple is very quiet, the air is clear and fresh feelings. In the Kannondo on the right after going through the gate, Azabu Kannon which was built by carving Kusunoki, looks gentle with a calm feeling. And the buildings where for Zazenkai, the dimmer space, incense scent, tatami mats, monk’s black robes, Buddhist decorations… Straighten up but I feel calm with the nostalgic space somehow.
It is natural that I go to Zen meditation, but there is almost no conversation. Participants join their hands in prayer to neighbors who sit next to you or opposite, it means a greeting “I will sit together by chance today, thank you in advance”. I like the greeting very much, it is ver Japanese style like no words, no eye contact, just join their hands in prayer. I feel the sign of the person sitting together during Zen meditation, but just sit together without speaking. And, even when the Zen meditation is over, people do not say anything in particular, so I feel comfortable with this distinctive sense of distance.
Also, I think this kind of opportunity is also good that various type of people (a primary school boy, young ladies, businessman, senior citizens, a variety of young and old women and men with different men and women) gather for the same purpose in the same space just to sit together but they never speak any words.
It is around 20 o’clock when coming out of the temple at the end of Zen meditation, so the neighborhood is completely dark. It feels very comfortable when I breathe deeply in the sound of water, open sky, depending on the day you can see the moon and the stars.
Quiet time at quiet space, highly recommended.
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