Meditation in Japan
Photo: Supermidget, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
UnderstandBuddhism entered Japan from China, and although there was an almost continuous flow of philosophical and religious thought between the two countries over many centuries, it can be said that Buddhism arrived in three…
PrepareFew monasteries entertain trainees who arrive without prior notice, so it is important to first contact the monastery to discuss your plans. This can be done by written correspondence or phone.
Temples that offer multi-day meditation coursesPredominant in the Kyoto region. A specialty of Rinzai (臨済宗) is the use of the koan (公案) - a question that cannot be answered by intellectual means, but relies on intuitive understanding.
Temples that offer meditation lessons to visitorsMany temples in Mount Koya offer meditation lessons, usually in the Shingon ajikan style (阿字観), which involves breathing exercises and focusing on the letter (seed syllable) "A".
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Meditation in Japan" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Supermidget, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons