☆ A guided tour at
Engakuji Temple and Zen experience at Chojuji[Date & Time] Monday, November 14, at 12:00~17:30[Date & Time] Tuesday, November 15, at 12:00~17:30
[Spots] Aboard the ship of the Semester at Sea, Engakuji Temple, and Chojuji Temple (in Kita-Kamakura)
[Guests] November 14: 20 (including the students of the Semester at Sea, and attending professors and parents)[Guests] November 15: 27
[Attendants] November 14: 6 KSGG members[Attendants] November 15: 6 KSGG members
[Language] English
Students arrived at Kita-Kamakura after being given a brief explanation on the tour around Kamakura and a lecture about "History of Kamakura, Zen, and Japanese tea ceremony" aboard the ship of Semester at Sea. We visited Engakuji Temple and gave them a brief explanation about the temple, its Sanmon (main gate), Butsuden (Buddhist sanctum), and Senbutsujyo and Kojirin. (The latter two are halls for the training of Zen silent meditation). Afterward we enjoyed taking a walk around the temple grounds. When we guided the students to an archery field by the entrance of the temple, we were lucky enough to find archers practicing in ancient costumes. We gazed at them, being impressed with the serene atmosphere.
We went to Chojuji Temple. We enjoyed Japanese sweets and powered green tea after having a detailed explanation on the Japanese tea ceremony, then moved to Hondo (main hall) to experience Zen. I translated the chief priest's explanations of how to meditate into English. They concentrated on the meditation. Afterward we strolled in the garden. Although we could see few flowers in bloom unfortunately, they were moved by its beautiful Japanese garden.
☆ Home Visit Experience
[Date & Time] Monday, November 14, at 10:00~17:30
[Spots] Ms. H's house ~ Kotokuin Temple in Kamakura
[Guest] 1 male student of the Semester at Sea
The guest, Mr. M, is a 20-year-old student from San Diego and majors in biotechnology. He joined the home visit program, because he liked to see as many things as possible on his trip around the world, and hoped to enjoy his most favorite Japanese cuisine as he likes Japan very much. He visited my home and it was so great that he made onigiri (rice balls), carefully in the way we instructed, and enjoyed oden (Japanese stew), with chop sticks, while identifying each ingredient. He said he had already seen the Great Buddha in India, Vietnam, China, and Nara, so I took him to Kamakura to see the Great Buddha. Then we joined a KSGG member, Mr. T's group there. Mr. M was really glad to receive our gift of a paper doll. I was so happy to hear that he wished to come to Japan again.