Zazen Practice by Zen Master of Engakiji Temple

Dear Friends,

The first part of 2020 seems to have passed so quickly. The lockdown has been a very long time, but it was a good opportunity to face myself. How was it for you? 

It was also a good time to watch the online sermons of Zen Master Nanrei Yokota who is the head priest of Engaku-ji Temple in the historical city of Kamakura. Engaku-ji was founded in 1282 and is the one of most important Zen Buddhist temple complexes in Japan.

Zen Master Nanrei Yokota has preached sermons and held Zasen* sessions regularly at the temple for a long time, however, everything has been canceled due to the Covid-19 state of emergency.  In this situation, he has flexibly changed from the conventional way to online. This has also benefited those who are far away. I am one of them. He speaks from a very humble point of view, but friendly and embraces everyone in his sermons. He has integrity and people really respect him. His sermons encourage me and give me peace of mind.

Zen and the Internet really seem to be the opposite, but his strong thoughts get across through the Internet. There are things that don’t change, and there are things that have to change.

Recently his Zazen* practice videos with English subtitles has been released. I would like to share with you.  If you are interested, please check the following links.

Start a Zazen practice 1 –How to cross legs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=778&v=JV_P-mWXPJg&feature=emb_logo

Start a Zazen practice 2 –How to set body

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgvOy1g7OGs&t=24s

Start a Zazen practice 3- How to breathe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymE8nJ_Dga8&t=34s

Start a Zazen practice Full version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syUSkdmvH44&t=10s

Covid-19 is far from over so let's wear face coverings, wash our hands really well, and try to enjoy every day!

Best,

Kumiko

 Zazen* is a meditative discipline that is typically the primary practice of Zen Buddhism.

 Edited by Janice Ensminger

Be here, now.

Dear Friends,

I really hope you and your families are healthy and well. It's already the end of May time passes so quickly it's almost summer, and no matter what happens in the world seasons change anyway.

It seems since the shutdown I have become so easily distracted I am concerned about the future, and I have a tendency to day-dream and think of nothing in particular, so I wonder if this is happening to any of you; as a result, I intentionally try to do the same things every day with the same schedule so that I can pay attention to the result. This limited lifestyle teaches me how important it is to enjoy simple activities of everyday life.

One of my favorite activities is making a bowl of matcha. I prepare a tea bowl by pouring very hot water into the tea bowl and tossing out the hot water now dry the bowl with a cotton cloth, put matcha powder into the tea bowl add hot water, and move very quickly a bamboo whisk back and forth to dissolve and whisk the matcha powder. Now inhale the fragrant matcha. Then carefully pick up the tea bowl with your right hand to place it in the palm of your left hand, and feel the warmth of the tea bowl and appreciate it, rotate it twice clockwise, and drink the matcha. These activities create a soothing effect in me, and a calmness that has become so significant. I do it on a regular basis because it has become so important in my life.

Sometimes our lives are forced to shift to a new normal, which I can understand, but I am not sure how to adapt to. I try and focus on living in the moment with an eye on the future with a strong desire for a new wonderful world.

All the best,

Kumiko

Edited by Janice Ensminger