Byakuren

The three things I learned from the Fukugōji Temple stay are: "Live with care and attention," "Live in the present moment," and "Live with a spirit of altruism."

Before the temple stay began, we first had to store our cell phones and watches in lockers, which made me realize how much I had been relying on them. As a result, I was glad to experience a digital detox. During morning work practice (samu), it seemed everyone was cleaning the toilets (tōsu), but I initially hesitated quite a bit about cleaning toilets with bare hands. However, as I did it every morning, I got used to it, and by the end, I was surprised that I could clean without much concern.

We were woken up at 4:45 AM, and morning prayers (chōka) began at 5:30 AM before dawn. Both morning and evening prayers, the act of chanting sutras in the main hall and Senju-dō, felt like a noble act of praying for others, which deepened my respect for the monks.

It was also a great joy to meet the extremely busy Taigu Oshō at Fukugōji Temple, who travels around Japan and abroad. I was grateful and very happy to be able to watch “Adult Terakoya” live.

I always pay attention to my food, trying to consume organic and high-quality foods as much as possible, but the carefully prepared meals at Fukugōji Temple were so delicious that I was even moved. Embarrassingly, I asked for seconds (saishin) at every meal. On YouTube, Taigu Oshō said, “You will lose weight if you participate in temple stay,” but in my case, it seems I was an exception.

The inner disciples corrected my poor posture, which I had been concerned about, and behaviors I hadn’t noticed myself. When I returned home after the temple stay, my family was impressed with the changes. Acting quietly without making noise, holding things with both hands—these might seem like obvious behaviors when you think about it. As an adult, people rarely correct you, so I was truly grateful to be taught these things.

The posture and movements of all the inner disciples were elegant and beautiful, and I found myself admiring them many times, feeling a strong desire to emulate them.
I am filled with gratitude for the inner disciples who, despite being busy with daily training, provided strict yet compassionate guidance.

Regarding the sangha members I had the fortune to be with, although we were basically prohibited from chatting during the temple stay, it felt like we could understand each other without speaking. By working together and living communally while being considerate of one another, I felt we formed a strong bond. After disbanding, we exchanged contact information and shared our impressions at Kon’nichi-an, and I felt reluctant to part ways.

The three things I learned from the Fukugōji Temple stay are: “Live with care and attention,” “Live in the present moment,” and “Live with a spirit of altruism.” I want to take these as nourishment for my heart and continue to strive forward.

May we cultivate the three qualities of compassion, wisdom, and Buddha nature, strengthen our minds and bodies, and illuminate even a corner of great ignorance.