By Savannah
Thursday, May 23
Day three was definitely my favorite part of my time in Japan. It is difficult for me to fully express in words my experiences from that day, as each one was truly magical. We visited two temples, Kenchoji Temple and Kakuonji Temple, attended small concert hosted by a monk, and had the pleasure of experiencing a lantern walk. I was incredibly moved by the beautiful and genuine way in which each person I encountered shared their culture and personal experiences.
At Kenchoji Temple, we had the honor of not only visiting one of the most esteemed temples in Japan, but also of learning about and participating in Zen traditions. This was the first time that our group ate a traditional Zen meal, in which we had to eat all of the food we were given, even cleaning the bowl with tea and then drinking it to avoid wasting any food. When I first learned that we would be drinking up our left-overs, I was nervous. Despite my initial apprehension, the experience was not nearly as uncomfortable as I was anticipating, and I appreciate the spirit of sustainability behind the practice. Another aspect of the meal that I really enjoyed, was how in the beginning we all took a few grains of rice off our plate, “so that the birds and the fish can eat too,” as the Buddhist priest who was instructing us explained. I love how Zen culture recognizes and prioritizes all life whether it be human or animal.
On our visit to Kakuonji Temple, the abbot guiding us through the temple radiated warmth and compassion. When we first arrived, he said that we would likely feel the energy of the place, and I definitely did. There was something deeply spiritual about it which is difficult to put into words, but it was as though gratitude, empathy and connection radiated from the structures and the landscape. The abbot even allowed our group to visit an area where the founder and previous abbots of the temple are buried. He allowed us to visit this space, which is not usually open to visitors, because he said that after spending the previous few days participating in and learning about Zen traditions, he no longer viewed us as visitors but as part of their culture. This act of generosity and hospitality is something that I will always hold close to me. That particular area of the temple had a very vibrant energy and was breathtakingly beautiful. I took many mental pictures of that space which the Abbot suggested we return to for future meditation.
After our tour of the temple, Dr. Dube gave a brief lecture followed by a meditation session. When meditating, I often focus on my sense of hearing, tuning in to the sounds around me. While we were sitting in the temple, I could hear the sound of a musician warming up his instrument for that night’s concert. As far as I know, it was a complete coincidence that he happened to be warming up in that moment within earshot, and that authenticity is what made the moment so impactful and peaceful.
After meditating, we were treated to a private concert by a world-class musician. The instrument resembled a violin but with strings made of hundreds of horse hairs. The concert was mesmerizing. It was moving how present the artist was with his instrument and with us, and I was humbled by the way that he engaged with us. While he was playing and talking I kept thinking, ‘this is a world-famous artist and I am a young student with nothing compared to his experience or expertise and yet he appears so content to share this moment with us.’ The only time I cried during the whole trip was when he played Amazing Grace. I’m not sure why that particular song brought me to tears, but perhaps it was a combination of the beautiful way he played it, the familiarity of the song, and how I perceived it as an attempt to connect with us.
My experience studying abroad in Japan has taught me to focus more on “what is” versus “what I want.” I had a powerful moment while participating in an eating meditation in Hokokuji Temple where I realized how often I am focusing on the things or the people that I want in my life versus focusing on what or who is actually in front of me. Embracing this change in thought will probably be a gradual process, but I believe it may significantly improve my quality of life and happiness.
Before studying abroad in Japan learning about Zen Buddhism, I spent a few weeks learning about Ayurveda in India. Both Japanese and Indian cultures recognize the interconnectedness of our lives and planet, and stress the important connections between all human-beings and between humans and nature. In the US, we are missing out on a level of humanity by not fostering this idea within our own culture. If I pursue further education, I would like to explore how we could adapt these beliefs to our own society, what benefits it might have.
