R.N.

I will continue to maintain the good habits I have learned and keep becoming more aware of myself.

I would like to sincerely thank all the monks and staff members at Fukugonji for taking care of me during my 5-day, 6-night temple stay. On the morning of the final day, as I reflected on all the gratitude I felt, tears naturally flowed, and I couldn’t stop crying. I never imagined I would be so overwhelmed with gratitude that I couldn’t even produce a voice for the chanting.

This is all a result of everyone’s efforts, dedicating their time, energy, and care, both in preparing for and engaging seriously with us during our stay. Thanks to everyone, a wonderful environment was created, and I was able to gain many insights. While I can’t list everything due to the length of this message, I would like to share a few key thoughts below.

During my time at Fukugonji, I realized just how often I had been unconsciously displaying a rude or arrogant attitude in my everyday life. I became aware of this when I took the posture of shashu (folding hands) while waiting or moving from one place to another.

For example, I used to unconsciously cross my arms while waiting for a bus, thinking it was more comfortable and helped my body feel more at ease. However, when I looked at myself from a broader perspective, I realized that this posture might appear somewhat arrogant to others. I began to think that if I continued this way, I might unintentionally make people in line with me or the bus driver feel uncomfortable.

This was just one example, and I’m sure there are other inappropriate behaviors I am still unaware of. I learned that by observing my emotions, thoughts, and physical movements from a broader perspective, it becomes much easier to notice these things. I also realized that when I maintain a graceful posture and movement, I feel a sense of clarity and peace within myself.

Next, I’d like to mention the physical changes I experienced. There were several surprising changes in my body. My skin became smooth and soft, the eczema symptoms on my fingers and elbows were greatly reduced, the flexibility in my hips improved, and I found daily movements much easier. I also gained more physical stamina, and I was able to shop from morning until evening without feeling overly tired and with more mental ease.

Reflecting on these changes, I believe there are two main reasons for them.

The first is the healthy meals provided at the temple. The food was almost free from additives, with a minimal amount of fats that require large amounts of energy to digest. There were no stimulants or wheat products that could upset the digestive system. These conditions, combined with the delicious, restaurant-quality meals, were a significant factor in the positive changes I experienced. I learned that this healthy eating habit was truly beneficial for my body.

The second reason was the physical exercise and sweating that occurred during my stay. Until high school, I had been active in sports, but for over 10 years, I hadn’t done much physical activity that involved sweating in a healthy way. A dermatologist once told me, “Your skin tends to be sensitive and easily irritated, so it’s important to develop a habit of sweating regularly.” Without intending to, I was able to build this good habit during the temple stay, and I noticed improvements in my eczema and skin condition. Furthermore, by being mindful of movements that engaged my hips and shoulder blades during cleaning and other tasks, my body naturally became more flexible over time.

These are the main reasons behind the physical changes I experienced, and I realized once again how strongly physical flexibility and stamina can influence mental flexibility and strength.

I could continue listing all the insights I gained, but I’ll stop here for now. These positive changes are the result of transforming my bad habits into good ones. Before, I had thought of habits as something new to begin, but I’ve come to realize that it’s actually about transforming old, harmful habits into positive ones. Understanding this was an important realization that will guide me as I continue to build good habits.

I will continue to cultivate the good habits I have learned and maintain awareness of myself.

Lastly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the monks and staff at Fukugonji, who had such a positive impact on me during my stay. The serene environment at Fukugonji helped calm my mind and provided a valuable opportunity for self-reflection. However, what truly stood out to me was how calm and centered everyone’s hearts were, which created such a wonderful atmosphere. I have realized that this was a major factor in making it such a good environment. I too will strive to become someone who embodies such a presence.

I also learned so much from my fellow participants in the temple stay. I learned that simply being natural can bring peace and comfort to others, that exploring things deeply can make them even more interesting, and that being honest with oneself and sincerely facing personal growth are all important. These and many other realizations have inspired me. I will live with the spirit of “give and give” so that I can become someone who can offer more to others.

For anyone still uncertain about whether to participate in a temple stay, I highly recommend it.

I sincerely pray that happiness continues to overflow in your life in this very moment.