Entsu-ji Temple “Reiwa 5 (2023) 64th Dawn Zazen Meditation Session” (held July 20–22, 2023) 〜 Spend refreshing summer mornings in a clear state of mind

For three days from July 20, 2023, the “Dawn Zazen Session” was held at Entsu-ji Temple in Tamashima, Kurashiki City, for the first time in four years.

Until now, I had sat as a participant, but this time I was able to be involved as an organizer.

The “Dawn Zazen Session” is a long-standing traditional event in Tamashima.

I first took part more than 40 years ago, when I was a junior high school student.

I’d like to introduce the appeal of the “Dawn Zazen Session,” a long-standing tradition and a hallmark of summer in Tamashima.

What is the “Dawn Zazen Session”?

Entsu-ji Temple in Tamashima is known as the place where the Edo-period Zen monk Ryokan trained.

“Dawn zazen” means zazen practiced early in the morning.

The “Dawn Zazen Session” at Entsu-ji Temple is organized by the “Let’s Sit Together with Ryokan” Executive Committee.

It began in 1957 and reached its 64th session in 2023.

The “2023 64th Dawn Zazen Session” was held for about an hour each day from 5:30 a.m. for three days, July 20–22.

The general public can also participate, but participants are mainly recruited from among elementary and junior high school students, and the event is cherished as a summer tradition in Tamashima.

Entsu-ji Temple: An ancient temple in Tamashima where the renowned monk Ryokan trained. Azaleas, maples, and cherry blossoms are also highlights.

Ryokan, an Edo-period monk known as a great master, was revered by many. Did you know that Ryokan had ties to Kurashiki City? In fact, Ryokan spent about…

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What happens at the “Dawn Zazen Session”

The “Dawn Zazen Session” begins at 5:30 a.m., and participants sit twice for about 15 minutes each time.

Afterward, elementary school students do radio calisthenics, while junior high school students and older participants do samu.

Samu means tasks such as cleaning.

Since the event was being held for the first time in four years, I was worried about how many people would take part, but many joined from the first day.

This time, about 50 people participated each day, for a total of 143 participants, with elementary school students making up the largest group.

We also had enthusiastic participants from outside Tamashima.

Practicing zazen

Most participants were taking part for the first time, and had never practiced zazen before.

With demonstrations and explanations, anyone can quickly learn how to practice zazen.

A round cushion called a zafu is used when practicing zazen.

Using a zafu helps stabilize the body, making it easier to sit with your legs crossed.

We were taught how to sit and bow, and to regulate our breathing.

The lights are turned off, and zazen begins when a bell rings three times: “clang,” “clang,” “clang.”

In the deep silence, all you can hear are birds and cicadas calling, and the sound of the fan.

Even though many people are sitting together, you can feel as if you are sitting alone.

As I focused my attention on sitting, I heard a “boong”—the 6 a.m. bell.

I lost all sense of time; all I could hear was sound.

Zazen ends when the bell rings twice: “clang,” “clang.”

Experiencing the keisaku

If you feel sleepy, have poor posture, or find your mind unsettled during zazen, you can ask to be struck on the shoulder with a keisaku.

It is not received as punishment, but as encouragement.

If you would like to receive the keisaku, let them know by putting your hands together.

Then the jikido, the person who administers the keisaku, comes over and gives you a sharp whack on the right shoulder.

A crisp, satisfying sound rings through the quiet main hall.

One elementary school student who received the keisaku said, “It made me feel alert and focused.”

Some people may feel a little afraid of receiving the keisaku, but it is surprisingly not painful; instead, it feels good.

Loosening up with samu and radio calisthenics

After sitting quietly in zazen, the elementary school students do radio calisthenics in the morning sun.

They moved their arms and legs, stiff from zazen, through wide stretches and enjoyed the exercises freely.

Meanwhile, junior high school students and older participants cleaned the garden as samu.

They diligently swept and gathered fallen leaves, leaving the grounds neat and clean.

“Being active from the morning made me feel like I could make good use of the whole day.”

That’s one of the comments we received.

When you focus on cleaning, it feels much like practicing zazen.

From the Writer

 
Even though it lasts only three days, getting up early to attend is harder than you might expect.

Even so, most people attended all three days.

Seeing everyone practicing zazen, I felt relieved and happy that we were able to resume the “Dawn Zazen Session” in 2023.

We received the following heartwarming comments.

• The morning scenery was beautiful, so I want to try my best to get up early (elementary school student)
• I practiced zazen for the first time in my life. It was good to focus on becoming empty, without letting my thoughts go round and round (general participant)
• I was happy to practice zazen with everyone while enjoying the lovely feeling of the morning. The birdsong and bell sounds rang out, and it felt so peaceful (general participant)

The July “Dawn Zazen Session” has become part of Tamashima’s culture and tradition, with even three generations of families taking part together.

Why not step away from everyday life for a little while and sit quietly in the refreshing early-morning air?

Next year (2024), the event is also scheduled to run for three days starting on the first day of summer vacation for elementary and junior high schools.

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