Saturday: Myoshin-ji and home

Our last stop on our walking tour is at Myoshin-ji, the home temple of my teacher, Sasaki Roshi.  It's like Daitoku-ji, but larger.  I think Yuho said Daitoku-ji has about 250 subtemples throughout Japan, and Myoshin-ji has 3000.  I believe this is the Buddha Hall.


We take a long walk down the middle of the temple complex, with Yuho commenting on the various temples, who runs it and any stories that come to mind.  



We pass Noratake Roshi's place (not the one pictured above), and another one that has English posted outside.  Yuho tells me this is an Osho who went to Northern Arizona University, married an American, and is attemping to reach out to foreigners.  


And finally, the Myoshin-ji training center, gates closed.  Yuho says it's different now, but back in the day Myoshin-ji Senmon Dojo was known to be extremely rough, almost brutal.  He says his teacher Mumon discouraged his monks from training there for that reason.  The wooden plate on the right tells what text they're giving teisho (Dharma talk) on - at this time it's the Hekiganroku, the Blue Cliff Record.  I've really enjoyed my day with Yuho, and I'll be glad to see him again Monday at his home, Tenryu-ji.  



Back home Wes took me out to dinner in the happening Gion district - Sheila's still sick :(   In our Kyoto neighborhood the streets are rolled up at 9pm.  Here lots of young people dressed up on a Saturday night, crowding the sidewalks.  The old guys walk home by the canal that runs next to the Kamo River, under a long row of cherry blossoms that are in full bloom.  


And on as we climb the hill to the Nene House, quiet descends and the moon appears.









Comments

  1. MondoMarch 26, 2018 at 11:39 AM

    It's great to be able to see these places with you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. KoshinMarch 26, 2018 at 4:29 PM

    Thanks for coming along for the ride!

    ReplyDelete

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