Nathaniel Sharratt reports on the road from the Zen of Spirit retreat to rural northern Japan with John-Roger & John Morton and 58 participants.
Today was the last day touring with the Travelers through northern rural Japan, and with it came many blessings. We started out the morning by visiting Jounji, a Zen temple in the town of Taro. In 1884, the town was hit by a devastating Tsunami wave that killed nearly the entire population. Almost everything was destroyed, and the temple on the side of the hill was the only thing left standing in the town. It was hit with another Tsunami in 1934, after which was built a grand Tsunami wall separating the open sea from the town. In fact, these great cement Tsunami walls and wave breakers in the ocean are now common among the pacific coastline of northern Japan.
Upon arriving at the temple, we were given a very warm welcome by Takahashi-Sensei (the head monk) and his son. Takahashi-Sensei was very sweet, and received us with openness and acceptance. He sat us down and proceeded to give us each some green tea and a sweet made from rice and azuki beans, yet shaped like a pink flower. He shared his story with us about how he had done many jobs in the world for many years. Though his father had been a priest, he didn’t decide to become one until he was in his thirties.
As the monk spoke, a three year-old boy ran around the temple playing with different people in our group. This little boy was very cute, and seemed to be the one really in control of the situation. He would go up to the head monk and to the monk’s son during the sharing session and talk to them. It was beautiful to behold the loving freedom that this little boy was allowed. The little boy made many friends among our group.
The monk let us demonstrate our spiritual practices with him. Steve Beimel called in the light in Japanese, and then the group chanted the ani-hu. The monk shared with us that he could see the loving in our eyes, and he kept repeating that. At the end of the event, the monk shared with us of his dream to go to Las Vegas, see a Diana Ross concert and have her sit on his lap during the concert. Our group laughed with him at this dream and we all shared in the joy that was present.
From the temple we took a train to Kitayamazaki where we boarded a chartered boat. Our group was given a tour of the rugged coastline of Rikuchu Kaigan national park. It was great to take in the beauty of our natural surroundings and to experience the sheer might and magnificence of the tree lined cliffs as we observed how the light and shadows played on their walls.
After the boating excursion, we arrived back at the hotel at which time many people went on a nature walk with John, who gave a truly remarkable talk about the environment. When the walk finished, we ate dinner with the purple sunset in the background.
As with every night before, the Travelers once again graced us with a sharing session that words cannot describe. The great revelation of the evening was when J-R’s kimono opened up below the belt. Indeed, it kept opening causing much hooting and laughter. What the Travelers do for us…
Our trip ended on a loving note, and the Travelers parted from the main group the next day. Thus, this adventurous travelogue comes to a close.
On the road correspondent, Nathaniel, signing out until next time.
Click here to view Day 5 of the Japan Trip
Click here to view Day 4 of the Japan Trip
Click here to view Day 3 of the Japan Trip
Click here to view Day 2 of the Japan Trip
