Mastering the ancient art of Zen in modern Kyoto

By Paul Jebara

In an era dictated by the relentless clockwork of modern life, the quest for serenity and clarity often seems like an elusive pursuit. Amid the chaos, however, a beacon of tranquility emerges from the heart of Japan's historic city, Kyoto. Across the city’s 2,000 temples, meditation is a way of life for monks who devote their lives to the age-old rituals of Zen Buddhism, but even this sacred tradition isn’t averse to the advancements of the modern world.

At the Kyoto Meditation Center, a unique offering known as SanZen has been designed as an oasis of calm for the weary mind. It’s an app that blends mindfulness and Zen doctrine into a casual practice of sensory meditation, effectively providing a quick, bitesize antidote to the cluttered consciousness of our digital age. It supplements the work of the physical center and the temple to make authentic meditation more accessible to everyone, no matter how busy they are.

Guiding this sanctuary of peace is Daisetz Sasaki, a seasoned mentor who champions the art of Zen meditation, once wielded by samurai warriors to withstand extreme stress. It unlocks the power to manage your mental landscape, clear emotional fog, and sharpen your focus. Here, ahead of hosting a meditation experience with GetYourGuide at Jōju-ji Temple, Daisetz talks about its significance in Japanese culture, the roles of monks as spiritual caretakers of this ancient practice, and its place in today’s super-connected world.

Why is meditation so deeply ingrained in Japanese culture?

Meditation, at its core, is about calming the mind and managing emotions. In Japanese culture, it's seen as a vital tool for self-discovery and emotional stability. It's a practice that helps individuals navigate through life's ups and downs with grace and resilience. It doesn’t matter how quickly things around us change; these guiding principles remain true and timeless.

How are the five senses central to the practice?

In Zen Buddhism, the five senses are considered pathways to attaining inner peace. Each of the 75,000 temples across Japan are carefully designed to provide positive sensory stimulation. For instance, the sight of a meticulously maintained garden, the fragrance of burning incense, or the echoes of a bhikkhu (priest) chanting — each of these is intended to soothe a particular sense, leading to overall tranquility. Even the entrance of a temple is thoughtfully designed to prepare visitors for a deeper, peaceful state of mind as they advance towards the meditation hall.

Can you expand on the role a monk plays in a Buddhist temple?

Monks serve as spiritual caretakers in Buddhist temples. They not only maintain the temple grounds but also guide visitors in understanding and practicing Zen Buddhism, helping them manage negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Some smaller temples — like Jōju-ji Temple which hosts the GetYourGuide meditation experience — are run by only one monk, so their role is all-encompassing.

What is involved in this transformative journey to becoming a monk?

Indeed, the path to monkhood is demanding. It involves a training process known as So-do, a monastery facility to conduct long periods of intensive training. The training period typically spans about a few years, during which aspirants delve into the teachings of Buddha and learn the practical aspects of temple life.

How would you describe a typical day in the life of a Buddhist monk today?

A modern monk's daily life is a harmonious blend of age-old traditions and contemporary realities. They spend significant time in meditation, chanting, and performing various temple duties, all the while guiding visitors on their journey to understanding and applying Zen Buddhist teachings in their lives. Although the principles and teachings remain unchanged, the approach has adapted to better fit today’s world.

What do you see in the future of Kyoto’s Zen temples?

In fact, Japan’s rapidly declining population poses a threat to its temples. With a decreasing number of people comes fewer temple believers, especially in rural areas where younger populations tend to gravitate towards convenient urban centers like Tokyo. Many temples in Kyoto, and across Japan, face the risk of closure without sufficient visitor support. It's a sad reality but an urgent call to action to preserve these invaluable cultural repositories for future generations. Most temples rely on donations and offerings from believers or visitors to whom sacred doors are opened. It's a challenging situation that even the most steadfast monks could struggle to overcome.

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• Your ultimate guide to Kyoto, Japan
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