Zen meditation in Kyoto, Japan

A while ago I've read that in the Engaku-ji or in the Kencho-ji in Kamakura everyone is welcome to try zazen (seated zen meditation) and that the zazen session is really noob-friendly.

Since I'm a noob myself and I always wanted to try this type of meditation I was wondering if there are temples in Kyoto where I can experiment zazen in a friendly-and-noob-proof environment where even the more ungraceful tourist is welcome.

Best Answer

The Daisen-in and Shunkoin have open medidation meetings (Information in English, the latter explicitly says instruction is in English), not free but reasonably priced. According to this forum:

Rinzai and Soto zen temples should have a weekly zazenkai that is open to the public. It should be free, but donations are accepted (and probably expected, but I never gave more than a few hundred yen a time)

Most of them probably are in Japanese only, though.

If you have the time, another option might be to stay one (or a few) nights in a temple in Kouya-san (1.5h train ride from Osaka). It's quite beautiful and definitely worth visiting. Many temples there offer lodging, and joining the monks in their morning meditation is usually a part of that (optional). But since it's the origin and headquarters of Shingon Buddhism, I'm not sure if it's the kind of medidation you're looking for.

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What is the Japanese term for Zen meditation?

Zen is closely associated with many Japanese arts. Nowadays, this word is known all over the world. However, its real meaning is often misunderstood. Recently, it became easier to discover in Japan this branch of Mahayana Buddhism, including the sitting meditation that comes with it, known as zazen.

What happens during Zen meditation?

What Happens During Zen Meditation. Zen meditation is considered an \u201copen-monitoring meditation,\u201d where monitoring skills are used. These monitoring skills are transformed into a state of reflexive awareness with a broad scope of attention and without focusing on one specific object.

Is meditation popular in Japan?

In Japan, people often practice sesshin, group meditation that takes place in temples or centers. If you are looking for a quintessentially Zen experience, look no further. Visitors the world over travel to Japan to study meditation at Buddhist temples.

Where can I learn Zen Buddhism in Japan?

Kenchoji (Kamakura) Founded in 1253, Kenchoji is the oldest Rinzai Zen training monastery in Japan. Its zazen for foreigners program was started 10 years ago by Soin Satoshi Fujio of Dokuonji, who offers a wide range of classes on Buddhism and zazen in English at his temple near Yokosuka.