(24. November – 30. November 2018)
Starting from Osaka I went to Kurashiki by train (Kurashiki is a part of Okayama). As I arrived there I had to call the temple to pick me up. Unfortunately that did not went out, so I needed to drive to another station and walk the rest by foot. After that the first doubts arose in my mind, but I calmed myself by saying it could not be too bad. And even if I was, I would have only to endure 6 days…
At the day of my arrival a non showed me the temple and everything I needed to know (e.g. Zazen posture, how to prepare my breakfast dishes). Then we had dinner and afterwards it was sleeping time.
The days at the temple follow more or less a schedule:
- 4:00 am Wake up
- 4:20 am Zazen
- 5:10 am Kihin (silently walking)
- 5:20 am Chukai (Break)
- 5:30 am Zazen
- 6:10 am Chokan (Morning service; chanting out of the holy book)
- 7:00 am Shojikin (Breakfast)
- 7:50 am Nitten soji (Care taking; This was always a fixed job. I my case freeing the temple from autumn leaves)
- 8:30 am Chosan (Formal tea)
- 9:00 am Samu (Here you could sign up which work you want to do. I mostly worked in the garden, once I have cleaned the toilets and cooked for the whole temple crew together with a two friends, where one is star cook ^.^)
- 10:55 am Nitchu (Noon service; same as the morning service)
- 11:20 am Chujiki (Lunch)
- 1:30 pm Samu (Same as above)
- 3:00 pm Gyocha (informal tea)
- 4:25 pm Banka (Evening service;, Basically the same as the other services, just sometimes we did not need to go there.)
- 4:50 pm Yakuseki (Dinner)
- 7:20 pm Zazen
- 8:00 pm Kinhin
- 8:10 pm Chukai
- 8:55 pm Koten/Hozen (End of Zazen)
- 9:10 pm Kaichin (Bedtime)
On my third day a German non arrived. Speaking in German again was very confusing but I enjoyed it a lot and besides she is very kind and is also from Munich!
During my stay I had once the chance to talk to the chief priest in a eye to eye talk. I could ask any questions and we ended up talking for about 40 min.
On my 4th day we had a tea ceremony. We had to be clothed properly and had a lesson in what to do while the tea ceremony. The lesson was held by two Japanese ladies and the German non. We learned for example how to accept and drink the tea or eat the omanju (sweet which is always served to the tea). Afterwards a friend and I had a few questions about the ceremony. We ended up making lots of photos with the ladies and their special tea kit and I was given a kimono as a present.
My Impressions: While the time at the temple I was completely disconnected from the outside world. because you neither have internet nor hear or see what is happening outside the temple. It is weird because you even stop thinking about all the things you had in mind before (like e.g. where to go next, missing your family, what to eat and so on). You just focus on the here and now. During the stay at the temple I have spoken to many people about the philosophy of the temples religion. In the end I think the experience is worthwhile for me.
The departure from the temple was a bit sad, as I had to leave a newly won family. I left there with no further plan for the following week but just headed towards Kurashiki again…