INTERNATIONAL: JAPAN: Pilgrimage to

Cherished Temples and Shrines

Instructor(s): Roshi Joan Halifax, PhD * Sensei Kaz Tanahashi * Mayumi Oda and
Mitsue Nagase.

Japan: Pilgrimage to Cherished Temples and Shrines

April 10-24, 2015

We are very pleased to send you information about this very rich temple pilgrimage
in Japan, April, 2015. We will not only visit sacred sites - temples, shrines, forests
and mountains, but also will meet local people who are active spiritual practitioners
and special friends who are engaging in cultural preservation, environmental
conservation, as well as fine artists, craft people, and special priests. The trip will
be lead by Roshi Joan Halifax, Sensei Kazuaki Tanahashi, and Mayumi Oda. Each
will take turns introducing the rich cultural heritage of traditional Japan, as well as
giving teachings and facilitating council and meditation.

April 10th We meet at Nanzenji Kaikan in Kyoto, which is located in front of the
historic and magnificent mountain gate of Nanzenji temple. The temple is one of the
headquarters of the Rinzai School Japanese Zen. You can arrive anytime
after 3pm. At 7pm, please gather for a communal vegetarian dinner to meet Roshi
Joan Halifax, Sensei Kazuaki Tanahashi, Mayumi Oda and everyone joining the
trip.

April 11th After breakfast, we will have the first council as a group. Then we will
visit Nanzenji temple compound together. Afternoon is free time; you may want to
rest or stroll The Philospher's Walk and Ginkakuji Temple, which is an icon of
Japanese "wabi sabi " aesthetic, and other temples along the way. Nanzenji Kaikan
is located in the Higashiyama district , where many of the historical temples are in
walking distance. You might also want to consider joining communal zazenkai
which is offered at sub-temples of Nanzenji every day and night. Lunch and dinner
is on your own.

April 12th After breakfast, we gather and take a chartered bus to the Kitayama
(Northern) district of Kyoto. An introduction of Kyoto and the historical background
of this ancient city will be given by Sensei Kaz.

We will visit Kurama Temple, which is an ancient temple associated with the
worship of nature spirits and known for Tengu, a creature known in Japanese
mythology. It is also a birthplace for Reiki practice. Following our time at Kurama
Temple, we will visit Kifune Shrine and Simyo-In temple. Shimyo-In temple has a
strong connection to the Kamo River (the main river and water source which runs
through Kyoto from North to South). It is also known that the beautiful temple has
Japan's oldest Fudomy' statue.

We will have a chance to have an open conversation with Abbot of Shimyo-In

temple, who is active in the conservation of the natural environment and precious
water in Northern Kyoto area. Dinner is on your own.

April 13th After breakfast, we have a free morning until 11am. We then gather
together and head to Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Province. Eiheiji is one of the main
temples in the Soto Zen School, founded by Dogen in 1244. Once we enter the
temple, we will follow the temple guests' schedule - bath, Zazen, supper (medicine
bowl), Dharma talk or discussion.

April 14th We will continue following the Eiheiji Temple's schedule. Wake up time
is 3:50am. First we sit Zazen, then join whole community of monks for service in
the Buddha hall. We will be able to be a part of a practice unchanged for over 760
years. A tour of the temple compound will be given by resident monks. You will
have some free time to explore the temple on your own. After lunch (one's own), we
will head to Nara. Upon arriving in Nara, we will have a light supper together and
rest.

April 15th After breakfast, we gather together for a check-in. We will also meet two
dear friends who live in Nara, the art historian Hiro-san and renowned artist
Tsujimoto-san. A map and orientation of Nara will be given, and you are free to visit
the temples and museums at your ownpace. Lunch is on your own. We will get
together again in late afternoon for special welcoming tea ceremony at Hiro-san's.
Dinner is on your own.

April 16th We will get on a chartered bus to visit the oldest capital of Japan: Asuka.
It was Japan's capital from mid-6th century till the early 8th century. We will visit
Asuka temple built in 588. There you will see the oldest great Buddha statue
(Asuka Daibutsu ) in Japan. We will also visit Ishibutai, a mysterious structure
constructed with a giant stone, and Takamatsuzuka Tomb with an intricate frescoed
mural. Both of these places are historic sites, and we will have the chance to
submerge ourselves in this old culture of Japan.

April 17th We will start our day at Nigatsudo. We will dedicate chanting of the Heart
Sutra as well as Enmeijuku Kannongyo at Nigatsudo. Many temples in this
compound are dedicated to Kannon, and there will be an introduction and teaching
by Mayumi Oda. The afternoon is free to visit museums and temples. Nara offers
many fine museums, such as Nara National Museum, Kofukuji National Museum,
and Todaiji museum to name a few. Lunch and dinner are on your own.

April 18th After breakfast, we will head south, to Mur. Mur temple is referred to
as Nyonin Koya, a place that accepts women practitioners, when Mt. Koya did not
allow women to come practice. Its tower was destroyed, but it is famous for its five-
storied pagoda and amazing collection of Buddha and Bodhisattva statues.

Lunch will be served at a local temple. Fine Shojin Ryori will be served.

After visiting various other temples, we will arrive at Uda, an old and artistic town.
We will visit Mr. Yoshimoto's studio to learn his fine craft of making Japanese style
scroll mounting. We are hoping to see Matabee, a famous cherry tree, in full
bloom.

April 19th After breakfast, we will depart from Uda, and make our way to Mt. Koya,
a sacred mountain, opened by legendary monk Kkai or Kbo daishi, and
established in 819. There are many myths around Kukai, and Mt. Koya is one of the
most powerful Buddhist practice places in Japan. We will be staying at one of
temple compound called Nan'In. After arriving to Mt. Koya, Mayumi will lead the
group on a pilgrimage mountain hike up Benten san.

April 20th We will visit Kongobuji temple and Okunoin together. After lunch, we
gather together for council. The afternoon is free to explore deeper into Mt. Koya
and its extraordinary graveyard, temple compounds, and village shops. We will
gather together again for a special dinner.

April 21st After breakfast, we will take a chartered bus to visit Ise, another sacred
city. On the way, we should be able to see magical Yoshino Mountain, covered by
mountain cherry trees in full bloom.

After we arrive at Ise, we will meet Matsumoto-san, who is an expert in Shinto

beliefs, Japanese mythology, and Ise's history. Shinto is the root religion in Japan; it
is said to have some 800 million deities. Matsumoto-san has many stories to share.
We will spend a day and a half with him in Ise. First, we will visit Gek, a part of
Ise's Grand Shrine. Ise's Grand Shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu mikami, the
Sun goddess. After dinner near Geku, we will head to Futamigaura.

April 22nd We rise early to watch sunrise over the sacred rocks in the ocean. The
Ryokan (Japanese inn) where we are going to stay harvests natural salt that is
dedicated to the shrine. After breakfast, we will learn how they harvest and produce
this offering.

We will visit Isawano Miya, the "pure land of the rice field." Then we visit Naig,
another part of Ise Grand Shrine. We will have lunch next to Okage Yokoch, the
old merchant streets that are popular with people who visit Isle Grand Shrine.

We then head to Kyoto by train, arriving at the hotel around 17:30. Dinner is on
your own.

April 23rd You will have a free day in Kyoto to visit temples, shrines, museums,
galleries, and for shopping. If you have specific interests, please let us know as
well. At 5pm we gather together at the hotel lobby and walk a few blocks for our
final council and group dinner.

April 24th After breakfast, we will make our way back home. You can arrange an
airport shuttle to fly out from KIX or ITM (both are airports in Osaka ) or take a taxi
to Kyoto station, then take a train to your destination.

Feel free to contact registrar@upaya.org or call Roberta Koska at 505-986-8518

ext. 12 with any questions.

Click here to complete required forms for this pilgrimage.

$500 represents DEPOSIT only.

Sample Schedule
You may want to look at the sample schedule from our guide for
participants.