[Date & Time] Monday, June 17, at 12:30～17:30
[Spot] Kenchoji Temple
[Visitors] 1 each woman from America, France and the Philippines, and 1 man from Venezuela
[Attendants] 2 KSGG members
[Language] English
When we entered Kenchoji Temple, we appreciated the beautiful garden with a pond and green leaves behind a zazen meditation hall. The priest explained to us that keisaku (a wooden stick) is used to smack the meditator on the back in Zen meditation, with the purpose of keeping them concentrate but not punishing them, and that smacking would be done if requested. During the zazen session, the priest advised us repeatedly, "Straighten your back," "Mind your breath," and "Your eyes should be half open." Zazen sessions were held three times including a break between each session. In the first session, everyone seemed to think how it went on. In the second session, they gradually got accustomed to it and most participants requested to be smacked. The sounds of smacking resounded in the silent hall. During the break, the participants put a fire of questions in English to the priest on how to breathe, what our eyes are half open for, and so on. After the third session, we all recited a sutra together, had green powder tea, and took group photos. Then the zazen experience finished.