[Date & Time] Wednesday, January 29, at 12:00~18:30[Spots] Engakuji Temple and Chojuji Temple
[Visitors] 26 students with a professor and 3 children
[Attendants] 8 KSGG members
[Language] English
The participants ranged from elementary school children to those in their 70’s or even 80’s (?) who had retired and their families, though the most of them were college students. First, we gave a lecture about the history of Yokohama and Kamakura and also Buddhism at the Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal. Then we guided them to Engakuji Temple and then to Chojuji Temple, where the visitors listened to the lecture about Zen meditation and tea ceremony, and asked questions and gave their impressions earnestly. After they thoroughly enjoyed a shakuhachi (Japanese traditional bamboo flute) performance over a bowl of matcha green tea, they moved to the main hall of the temple in order to experience Zen meditation. At the end when a chief priest said to them, "You can live longer if you breathe slowly,” everybody nodded affirmatively. They were very happy with Japanese paper dolls we gave as gifts. I am sure those dolls are also enjoying the rest of the around-the-world tour.