Snapshot Saturday #8 - 「座禅」Zen Meditation in Asamushi (12/5)

All photo credits go to Hide-san!

This past Saturday we were invited by our wonderful friend, Hide, to participate in zazen (座禅; Zen Meditation) in the neighboring city of Asamushi, which hugs the coast just like Aomori and is famous for its onsen.

(L-R) Sasha, Kelsey, Me.
I knew about 10% of what the buddhist monk/our instrutor was saying. Hide sat on the far right of us while we sat in the smack middle of the group of about 10-15 other participants so we couldn't ask him to translate. All of our Japanese language ability is not too hot.

Another photo prior to the actual meditation. The buddhist monk was explaiing the meaning behind the tapestry. From the little that I understood, he explained that the golden character in the center wasn't even Japanese - it's in fact a sanskrit character. 

The monk gave each of us a pinch of this brown, aromatic powder that we used to rub on our hands, then our shoulders, arms, and legs.

Keenly listening. Or at least, trying to listen.

A good shot of half the room. Behind the monk was a section full of  golden buddha statues, incense, religious items in display boxes, etc. It was such a beautiful room.

This was the room that we waited in before and after the meditation session. Post-meditation we were treated to green tea and a cookie. And yes, it was snowy and cold outside.

A photo from the other end of the table for perspective.

In the end I'd say it was a very peaceful, relaxing experience. Like I said, I regrettably couldn't understand about 90% of what the Monk was saying, and I didn't have any help to translate during the session, so it was difficult to follow his instructions - I had to awkwardly glance while the whole room was meditating to figure out what I was supposed to be doing. Kelsey and Sasha had this same problem.

In regards to zazen session itself, we started with the brown powder that we rubbed in our hands, arms, and legs. Following that, we went into that difficult "criss-cross" type zen style seating, which quickly turned uncomfortable and cut off blood circulation to my legs. Luckily, during instructions he said it was fine if we didn't sit this way, but I tried my best. We spent a short while gazing at the tapestry while we took deep breathes. We then went in the classic buddhist pose with both hands resting in our lap and forming a circle with our index finger and thumb. We then "ohmed" for a few minutes.

Following the session, he asked us two questions (1) Did anyone of us fall asleep? (I think it was preferred if we were able to) and (2) Did anyone of us see the sanskrit character on the tapestry move? (It was supposed to move apparently).

All in all, it was definitely interesting. I said I'd try it again, but it was unanimous among us ALTs that we'd want to know the significance and meaning and instructions behind zazen before doing it again.

Tuna Sashimi Donburi set meal - 2,400 Yen. We split it.

after zazen we visited a foot bath where we soaked for a good 20 minutes, and then ate at a locally famous restaurant where I ordered Fried Squid Tempura meal set - we shared what was basically a Maguro (Tuna) mountain rice bowl. From here we made a few more pitstops, and made our way back to Aomori City.

The foot bath that we soaked in for a good while. We met two other Japanese folks who were alreaky soaking their feet and since I had my backpack I pulled out some optical illusions that I printed out for my students, and showed them to my friends, and then ultimately, the two Japanese strangers as well.