I went to “Eiheiji” at Fukui-ken on July 21.

Eiheiji is the Zen temple that was surrounded by hills and woods.
Here is very very peaceful temple! If you are interested in Zen and Japanese nature, do come to Eiheiji! The Butsuden (Buddha Hall) July 21 2007

According to Eiheiji’s official website http://www.mitene.or.jp/~katumin/eiheiji/gaiyo/eigo00.htm, Eiheiji, the “temple of eternal peace” is one of Soto Zen’s two head temples.　 It is located deep in the mountains near the rugged west coast of Japan, not far from Fukui City.
　Dogen zenji, the founder of Eiheiji, was born in 1200 A.D. When he was 24, he went to China and devoted himself to true Zen practice under the strict guidance of Nyojo zenji at Mt. tendo. 　After having “dropped off both body and mind, “realizing the way of the Buddha, he returned home in 1228.　 He lived at Kenninji temple for 3 yers, then founded his first temple, Kosho-Horinji, in Uji, Kyoto.

　In 1244 Dogen zenji and his followers visited Shii-no-sho in Echizen (now Fukui prefecture) to build a mountain temple. He was offered land and other help for this by Yoshisige Hatano, a samurai who was one of his most devoted lay followers. Dogen thus founded Eiheiji, where he devoted himself to training his followers in the perfection of Zen practice in every action of daily life.

　He died on September 29, 1253, leaving a number of noted books including the Shobogenzo, Gakudo Yojinshu, and Eihei Dai Shingi.

　Dogen zenji’s authentic Zen has been scrupulously observed by his successors. Even today, both priests and lay people devote themselves to his practice of Shikan-taza (”just sitting”).

The entrance July 21 2007

Viewing from the Butsuden (Buddha Hall) toward The Hatto (Dharma Hall) July 21 2007









Shorodo: The name of the bell in this belfry, “obon sho” (great brahman bell) indicates the “true nature of all beings,” A priesttrainee rings this bell four times every day: during morning zazen, at the start of midday service, at the start of evening zazen. and at bedtime, the end of evening zazen. It is also rung for special ceremonies. The priest-trainee bows to the floor each time he strikes the bell.







I am interested in Message from Dogen Zenji http://www.mitene.or.jp/~katumin/eiheiji/sonota/daionki/message/top.htm

Without Practice, No Emergence “To know” and

“To understand” are different.
Even though we know,
Without putting that knowledge to practice, we cannot understand.
Just reading a description of a medicine’s good effects
Won’t cure an illness.
Zen also is something we cannot understand until we put it to practice

Mother Nature’s Bounty Rice and vegetable have lives,

Meat animals and fish have lives,
It is thanks to those lives
That we are able to live.
Let us receive food with gratitude for those precious lives
Always saying, “I thankfully accept this gift of nourishment,”
And “thank you for this wonderful food.”

How Shall We Live? We are born die one time in this human life-
How shall we live it?

That is the fundamental question of the Buddha Dharma.
Is it a joyous thing to live long?
Life is not that way.
Is it sorrowful to die after a short life?
Life is not that way.
The question is how we shall live.

The Value of a Person The value of a person
Has nothing to do with status, fortune, or occupation.

Appraising a person just on the basis of learning or talent
Invites error.
It is rather thoughts and acts giving life to knowledge that are precious.
Thoughts and acts are what create the value of a person.

“5-15 Shihi Eiheiji-cho Yoshida-gun Fukui pref”
Japan 910-1294

TEL 0776-63-3640　　　　　FAX 0776-63-3631