FUKUI -- Daianzen-ji temple in Fukui, part of the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai sect, holds online zazen meditation sessions in which the participants attend via personal computers or smartphones.
The videoconference-style sessions began after the spread of the new coronavirus made it impossible to have large gatherings in the main hall at the temple. More than 100 people have taken part in the events, which have received high marks from users.
The temple has held Zen meditation sessions for about 40 years, believing it can help participants achieve peace of mind despite the stress of hectic day-to-day life.
Those interested had been free to visit twice a month, spending about an hour of self-examination time. However, after the number of people infected with the new coronavirus surged in the prefecture in late March, the temple decided to suspend the in-person zazen sessions.
The temple had since been preparing for online events that participants could do from home, believing that taking the time for introspection is essential these days as people tend to be distracted.
"Please exhale slowly," Genpo Takahashi said into a smartphone he had placed in front of himself in the quietness of the main hall at the temple in late May.
On the screen were about 40 participants to whom he taught the basics such as how to position their arms and legs, and how to flush out the mental distractions through breathing. He also showed them how to maintain the same posture for about 30 minutes.
"Many participants seemed to be able to look deep inside themselves," Takahashi said. "It was on par with a normal zazen session."
The event has received high praise. Said one participant: "I get distracted when I try to do it alone at home. I can focus when he is talking to me." Another added, "The online session is easy to join."
The temple plans to resume zazen gatherings later this month but will continue to hold the online sessions.
"Some [participants] are in New York. We can spread the Zen teachings to people who have up to now never had contact with this. I hope their online experience can be the starting point to get them out to temples," Takahashi said.
Admission is free. Upcoming schedules and applications for participation are available on the temple's website.
--A reporter's personal account
Online zazen sessions are also performed by young priests of the Rinzai sect's Obaku school. I tried it.
The first thing that surprised me was the presence of the monk, who forced me to take zazen seriously by merely appearing on a monitor. Even though I wasn't actually in front of him, I could not help but correct my posture when I felt his gaze.
The first few minutes I started, I was distracted by a colleague who was taking pictures and creating a little bit of noise, and I couldn't concentrate because I remembered messing up an interview I had done earlier that day. When I concentrated on the instructions to breathe deeply and tried to focus on my breathing, I gradually became less aware of the noises and activities around me, and the interference disappeared.
Things continued like that for about 30 minutes.
When I bowed once and put my palms together at the sound of pieces of wood clapping, I felt mentally refreshed. I was so comfortable and absorbed that I came to realize my legs were numb because I had them crossed the whole time. I would like to continue to make time for self-examination.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
