VISIT KANAZAWA   Garden of Japan

Zazen Sitting Meditation Experience at Daijo-ji Temple

Posted on 21/07/2015

Daijo-ji Temple

Address: Ru-10 Nagasakamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa

Post code: 921-8114

Closest bus stop: Nagasakadai

Join the regular Zazen meditation session on Sundays, starting at 13:00.

Men and women, old and young, participate every week.

 

“Zen” means “thoughtful silence meditation.” It is carried out while sitting (”Za”), which is the derivation of the name “Zazen” (sitting meditation). It was one element of ascetic training in ancient India (extreme self-denial), performed to gain composure of mentality and spiritual concentration. Buddhist Zazen began with Shaka (Buddha)’s practice for enlightenment.

Zazen sitting meditation experience at Daijo-ji

Admission: 3,000 yen (500 yen per person in a big group)

Time/Date: 13:00 every Sunday

Time required: 100 mins. No booking is required.

Notes: watches, jewelry and socks should not be worn during the meditation. 

Photo: Kanazawa City

Daijo-ji temple belongs to the Soto sect of Buddhism and is a specialized meditation hall where monks spend a certain amount of time training before they qualify as a chief priest in Japanese Zen Buddhism. It is an ancient temple with over 700 years of history and comes after the head temples of Eihei-Ji and Soji-ji. The “Garan” (temple building) is a typical Shichidogaran (seven-hall temple) and the “Butsuden” (Buddhist sanctum) is designated as a national important cultural property.

©JNTO