Kyoto: Zazen Meditation Experience at Kosho-ji Temple in Uji

Are you looking for an immersive, relaxing and meaningful experience during your visit to Kyoto? Kosho-ji Temple in Uji is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in this city, offering tourists a unique opportunity to engage in spiritual practice with a unique and calming experience of Zazen meditation. From an old-style garden constructed facing the Uji River to the inner Buddhist temple, Kosho-ji remains an integral part of the historic UNESCO World Heritage site of the city. This article explores the meaningful experience of Zazen meditation at Kosho-ji and how anyone looking to unplug and reconnect with the present moment can benefit from it.

What is Zazen meditation?

Before delving into the specifics of this experience, we should first cover what Zazen meditation is. It is a form of meditation that is considered to be at the core of Japanese Zen Buddhism, which is centered around sitting still, breathing, and being present in the moment. While it’s not necessary to be a Buddhist to practice Zazen, it does have its roots in this religion and has been practiced for many centuries as a means to achieving enlightenment and inner peace.

What can visitors expect from a Zazen meditation experience at Kosho-ji Temple?

Themed around a traditional Japanese cultural experience, visitors are immersed in an old-style garden at Kosho-ji Temple which overlooks the gorgeous Uji River. As part of their experience, they will be shown around the grounds of the temple and take part in a Zazen meditation session. Afterward, they can sample local temple cuisine and relax in the refreshing natural surroundings of the area.

The importance of mindfulness practice

Mindfulness practice has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with its practitioners touting its ability to reduce levels of stress, anxiety, and depression while also providing improved focus and clarity. The practice also allows people to become more aware of their thoughts and emotions so that they can better manage their responses to them. As this type of self-awareness is essential for overall health and wellbeing, it makes sense that a mindfulness practice such as Zazen meditation can be beneficial for all types of people.

How to get the most out of your Zazen meditation experience

If you’re interested in trying out a Zazen meditation experience in Kyoto, here are some tips that can help you get the most out of it:

• Prepare for the experience. Zazen meditation can be an intense experience, so it’s important to mentally prepare yourself for it. This might include things like researching the practice beforehand and learning what it involves so that you know what to expect when you arrive.
• Go with an open mind. It’s important to keep an open mind while practicing mindfulness so that you can let go of any expectations that you might have. This will help you to stay in the present moment and allow yourself to view things with curiosity and non-judgement.
• Set an intention. Setting an intention before your Zazen meditation session will help give your practice more purpose and focus. This might include things like aiming to remain mindful and aware during your session or cultivating inner peace.
• Develop a regular practice. Regular practice is essential if you want to get the most out of your experience. A regular mindfulness practice will help you cultivate mindfulness on a daily basis, even when you’re off exploring somewhere new.

Why visit Kosho-ji Temple in Uji?

Kosho-ji Temple is one of the oldest temples in Kyoto, offering a truly authentic and meaningful experience for visitors. Its inner Buddhist temple sits on the Uji River surrounded by lush gardens and opens its door to retreatants from all over the world wishing to practice mindfulness. With a rich history that dates back to the 8th century, visitors can explore its grounds and pay homage to its founders.

At Kosho-ji Temple, visitors not only have access to a valuable Zazen meditation experience but also delicious local temple cuisine. As part of their practice, visitors can sample local dishes such as miso okenmono (a miso-based soup made with red beans), kinpira gobo (burdock root strips marinated in sweet soy sauce) or fried yam cakes while enjoying the beautiful landscape of Uji.

In addition, after participating in a Zazen meditation session visitors can take some time to explore the surrounding grounds of Kosho-ji including its mountain path that leads up Mount Oyama, a Jodo forest filled with over 500 pine trees, a honden main hall displayed with sculptures depicting guardians of esoteric Buddhist teachings or even the old mikoshi hall where locals offer their prayers each year during the spring festival.

Conclusion

Overall, engaging in a mindful practice such as Zazen meditation during your visit to Kyoto, combined with exploration of the old temple grounds and local cuisine, can provide visitors with an unforgettable mental, physical and spiritual journey. From refining their ability to focus on the present moment to appreciating their inner peace and inner strength, this experience can offer an opportunity for personal development that no one should miss out on.

If you’re looking for this type of meaningful cultural activity in Japan, check out this Zazen meditation experience at Kosho-ji Temple.