TRIP TO JAPAN: In the middle of a landscape that is shaped by its mountains, forests and the sea, the modern industrialised nation meets centuries-old culture and tradition. Miso soup and rice for breakfast, taking a bath in the Onsen, the public bath or heated toilet seats might possibly be a challenge or even an inspiration for its visitors.
As Zen adept, of course, I am especially interested in the spiritual past of the countre. Even these days there are as many as 75000 temples, among those 15 000 Zen temples. I only saw a small number of these Zen temples and I had the opportunity to pratice in even less of them. However, they all left a lasting impression on my mind.
At that I took around 1500 pictures and that is why the selection of pictures in this gallery can only give you an idea of our search for traces in Japan. Thereby I consciously decided to focus on the tmples that are essential for our Sangha.
Eihei-ji 永平寺
Temple of Eternal Peace
Sōjiji-soin 総持寺祖院
is apart from Eihei-ji the other main temple of the Sōtō-shū in Japan
Jōkō-ji 常光寺
Kobun Chino’s Family Temple
Rinsō-in 曹洞宗の古刹
Shunryu Suzuki’s Family Temple
Temple Gardens
Kyudo Bowyery with Kanjuro Shibata XXI
