A Day in the Life of Buddhist Zen Monks

ANCHOR:
What follows is a day at a Japanese Zen temple. Buddhist monks and nuns from all over the globe get up at dawn for early morning sutra reading. Let's take a look.

STORY:
The Bukkokuji Zen Temple lies in the mountains of western Japan. Foreigners account for half of the monks and nuns boarding at the temple. After chanting scriptures, the Buddhist monks have breakfast together in complete silence.

The temple's Zen Master was a kamikaze pilot before he entered the world of Zen.

[Rev. Tangen Harada, Japanese Zen Master]: (male, japanese)
"No matter whether you're a Japanese or a foreigner, such differences are something superficial. We don't even care here about where people come from."

Shirley Helvey is from the United States. She became a Buddhist nun after she lost her husband ten years ago. She's been living at this Zen temple for four years now, under her new name of 'Somyo.'

[Shirley Helvey-Somyo, American Buddhist Nun]: (female, english)
"It's very much of a routine. Every day is like the day before. We have certain days that are celebrations and things, but other than that, each day is very, very routine."

Tzeela Irwin is a Buddhist nun from Israel.

[Tzeela Irwin-Jishin, Israeli Buddhist Nun]: (female, english)
"Before, I was getting homesick sometimes and would miss my friends, the foods and the weather, but now, no. This is my home now."

Category:

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• buddhist
• zen
• monks

[doodovf]

I wish i was there right now.....

[Agui007]

I can pretty much gurantee you you wouldn't see these articles in the British or American media, as their one aim is to limit you to what's really going on in the world.

I have complete respect for these people as they have mental training we haven't worked on.

[dauphine719]

how are they able to be a part of this monastery? are there qualifications?

[silversurfer8189]

lol OBAMA, japan

[carnivourlocust]

I am too about to go live like this. I am really surprised to see YOU people considering this also. Thanks. Adonai

[saulwilliams56]

health is my greatest joy, contentment is my greatest wealth

[rushsps250]

I am debating if i want to join this lifestyle, it's peacful and simple and what i like.

[integraleric]

Thank you. Love it.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@MrJohnfisher81 Thank you for your response. / The Supreme Way is not difficult. If only you do not pick and choose. Neither love nor hate. And you will clearly understand. / It is not about suppression, but about really seeing. Proceeding freely. Unattached to circumstances. Enjoy your practice. May your life go well.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

@MrJohnfisher81 Thank you for your response. Everything is in a constant state of change. The present moment is never the same. Only the mind, through it's discrimating action, can link the past to the future through the present moment. Practice is about letting go. Not clinging. May your life go well.

[jdfvtexzbdmrqsj7244]

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[MagikGimp]

A kamikaze pilot who never kamikazied? Now he's a monk doing nothing all day but saying "Ah, but who was phone?". Sounds like a sly dodger to me.