[Date & Time] Sunday, January 24, at 9:00~16:00
[Spot] Dokuonji Temple
[Visitors] 26 participants (chiefly Americans)
[Attendants] 2 KSGG members
[Language] English
I accompanied 26 participants of Semester at Sea who would experience Zazen at Dokuonji Temple. Two thirds of the participants were youngsters around 20 years old and the others included a wide range of age groups from 5- year-old children to elderly couples. In a bus from Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal to Dokuoanji Temple, one KSGG member, Mr N, explained various things such as Japanese history, the Kamakura Period, and Zen. At Dokuoanji Temple, the expected Zazen experience was held. The participants received instructions from the chief priest and three sessions were held. Then questions and answers were carried out. Though almost all the participants experienced zazen for the first time, each member enjoyed meditation time. Between each session, they had questions every time, especially about “Is it possible for us not to think anything at all?” or “What does it feel like?” Since the priest preached how to accept an intimate person’s death, and the Buddhist way of thinking, everyone seemed to be deeply impressed regardless of their nationality. Though it was just a one-day tour and was such a short time, I thought every participant had a fruitful day, having the chance to touch Japanese culture.