ZEN Temple Eihei-ji in Winter

 

　

　Eihei-ji Temple is one of the oldest temples belonging to the Zen Soto sect which the priest Dōgen did a founder.

　It was founded to 1244.

　These outskirts are famous by having very much snow.

　Here is Eiheijicho, Fukui Prefecture.

　The Zen priest wears only a thin shoulder-worn robe (It seems to be very cold all day life, other Zen temple's link).

　And they sit in contemplation zazen without heating with bare foot.. before the daybreak to going to bed.

　The getting up is about 3:00. The bath is about once a week.

　The meal is "ichijuu issai " (ex.). Boiled barley and rice, miso soup, a side dish, a pickle.

　It means it "One soup One vegetables". Another helping? No!

　It may be difficult a little even if anyone is going to train oneself in this temple.

　Because the ascetic practices are very severe for a body mark and mind.

　And there is this temple distantly in a remote deep mountain from the town.

　If the exerciser gets tired of ascetic practices, he needs his life and courage to escape.

　Snow is piled up more than 3 meters in winter here.

　Therefore most the application is sent away even if they propose ascetic practices.

　It is called "turning away at the door" called Japanese "Monzen barai".

　The state of the summer look at here, please.

　Zen way is so far and inclement...

　Dōgen soul is here.

Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine

 

Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine

The mystery of the Far East, far away from you.

Here is Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.

" ZEN " Japanese calligraphy

　　　　"禪" (zen). It is translated in ZEN.

　　　　Please look at next these how about some knowledge.

 

　　　　It is something about the ZEN's priest "Dōgen".

　　　　It is something about the ZEN's prose, "Shōbōgenzō" - Japanese old literature.

　　　　It is something about the Japanese calligraphy.

Zen Buddhist monks

A Day in the Life of a Zen Monk

Simply Sit to Gain Enlightenment

" Something Most Oriental " ( 1963 lecture)

"The more you suffer, the deeper your character becomes and the more you can appreciate life."

 by Daisetsu Suzuki 

Shichi - Go -San ( seven - five - three )

Shichi-Go-San is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Far east.

For three and seven year-old girls and three and five year-old boys, held annually on November 15.

Shichi-Go-San is said to have originated in the Heian Period (794-1185) amongst court nobles,

who would celebrate the passage of their children into middle childhood.

The children wear the kimono which was various colors.

Chitose Ame, literally "thousand year candy", is given to children on Shichi-Go-San.

It is long, thin, red and white candy, which symbolizes healthy growth and longevity. A girl has it.

The behind boy wears a white Tabi and Hakama.

Here is Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, downtown area of Tokyo.

" Autumn " Japanese-Calligraphy ( Semi-cursive script )

" 秋 " ( shū,or aki ). It is translated in autumn.

This character is written by Kanzi, Semi-cursive script.

Etymology :　Semantic

秋 ⇒　禾 (grain)　+ 束 (bind)

The meaning harvests the crops, and bundle it up.

Autumn is the season of the blessing.

The abundant leads people to the joy.