Trial Zazen at Koshoji Temple, Uji

Before you go

Trial zazen at Koshoji is open to first-timers: the temple explains the forms carefully, so anyone sitting for the first time can follow along.

Koshoji was founded by Dogen in 1233 at Fukakusa in Fushimi, and the temple says it is the oldest Soto Zen training monastery in Japan. Soto Zen takes zazen as the root of its teaching; in his Fukanzazengi, Dogen wrote that zazen is a gate to peace of body and mind, a way of resting rather than a technique for gaining awakening. Koshoji says the taste of zazen here lies in the plain, quiet character that belongs to this temple alone.

Book by phone before coming. Sit with posture and breathing settled, then sit still and face yourself. The temple says any reason is a good reason to come: to quiet body and mind, or to step away from worries for a while.