Rev. Taka Talks about Mindfulness at TED x Kyoto

Thursday, May 31, 2012

LGBT Pride Month, 2012



We welcome all couples regardless of faith and sexual orientation.

In 2000, Former U.S. President Bill Clinton proclaimed June to be Gay and Lesbian Pride month. Almost a decade later, on June 1st, 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama proclaimed June to be LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) Pride month in the United States. Shunkoin Temple would like honor these decisions and to increase the understanding of gay and lesbian rights by promoting same-sex weddings at our temple during the month of June, 2012.

Our wedding ceremony includes:
1. Chanting of the Heart Stutra (Parajinaparamita).
2. Vows lead by an officiant (priest).
3. Exchange of your own vows and rings.
4. Sake-sharing ritual (san san kudo).
5. Recitation of a special vow. This is vow is written in Japanese and English in certificate-style and is signed by both partners.
6. Proclamation of the marriage.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

http://www.shunkoin.com


Have the most memorable moment at this 420-year old historical Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan.


Sunday, May 27, 2012

Schedule of Zen Meditation Class in English between May 28th and June 3rd, 2012


Accept the impermanency. Thus, we should live in the moment. Also, Don't just focus on the formality. Understand reason behind the tradition. 

May 28th (Wed)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
13:30 - 15:00 in English (Already Full)


May 29th (Tue)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (no reservation required)

May 30th (Wed)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (no reservation required)

May 31st (Thur)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (no reservation required)

June 1st (Fri)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (no reservation required)

June 2nd (Sat)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (Already Full)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (Already Full)

June 3rd (Sun)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (no reservation required)


Zen Meditation Class and Dharma Talk (90 Minutes): Learn How to Live in the Moment


Our Zen meditation class (including Dharma talk and temple tour) is offered according to the schedule above. Each class is 90 minutes and lead in English by the deputy head priest, Rev. Taka Kawakami. He explains how to incorporate Zen Buddhist philosophy and meditation into your everyday life by using religious, philosophical, and neuroscientific concepts.

1. 10 minutes instruction of Zen Buddhism and meditation
2. two 15-minutes meditation sessions
3. explanation of gardens and screen paintings at the temple

To attend the class at 9:00 - 10:30 and 10:40 -12:10, no reservation is required. However, please the reservation to attend our 13:30 - 15:00 class at least 2 days in advance. (a group of more than 5 people, only).

For more details, please visit our website below.
Website: http://www.shunkoin.com
Phone: 075-462-5488

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Schedule of Zen Meditation Class in English & Temple Events between May 21st and 27th, 2012


Accept the impermanency. Thus, we should live in the moment. Also, Don't just focus on the formality. Understand reason behind the tradition. 

May 21st (Mon)
No class due to the temple event


May 22nd (Tue)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (Already Full)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (no reservation requiredl)

May 23rd (Wed)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (Already Full)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (Already Full)

May 24th (Thur)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (Already Full)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (Already Full)

May 25th (Fri)
No class due to the temple event
 
May 26th (Sat)
No class due to the temple event

May 20th (Sun)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (Already Full)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (no reservation required)


Zen Meditation Class and Dharma Talk (90 Minutes): Learn How to Live in the Moment

Our Zen meditation class (including Dharma talk and temple tour) is offered according to the schedule above. Each class is 90 minutes and lead in English by the deputy head priest, Rev. Taka Kawakami. He explains how to incorporate Zen Buddhist philosophy and meditation into your everyday life by using religious, philosophical, and neuroscientific concepts.

1. 10 minutes instruction of Zen Buddhism and meditation
2. two 15-minutes meditation sessions
3. explanation of gardens and screen paintings at the temple

To attend the class at 9:00 - 10:30 and 10:40 -12:10, no reservation is required. However, please the reservation to attend our 13:30 - 15:00 class at least 2 days in advance. (a group of more than 5 people, only).

For more details, please visit our website below.
Website: http://www.shunkoin.co
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RevTakaZen
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shunkoin-Temple-Zen-Center/141188892619012
Phone: 075-462-5488

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Schedule of Zen Meditation Class in English between May 14th and May 20th


Accept the impermanency. Thus, we should live in the moment. Also, Don't just focus on the formality. Understand reason behind the tradition. 

May 14th (Mon)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (Already Full)


May 15th (Tue)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (Already Full)
13:30 - 15:00 in English (Already Full)

May 16th (Wed)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (Already Full)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (Already Full)

May 17th (Thur)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (Already Full)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (Already Full)

May 18th (Fri)
No class due to the temple event
 
May 19th (Sat)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (Already Full)

May 20th (Sun)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (Already Full)


Zen Meditation Class and Dharma Talk (90 Minutes): Learn How to Live in the Moment

Our Zen meditation class (including Dharma talk and temple tour) is offered according to the schedule above. Each class is 90 minutes and lead in English by the deputy head priest, Rev. Taka Kawakami. He explains how to incorporate Zen Buddhist philosophy and meditation into your everyday life by using religious, philosophical, and neuroscientific concepts.

1. 10 minutes instruction of Zen Buddhism and meditation
2. two 15-minutes meditation sessions
3. explanation of gardens and screen paintings at the temple

To attend the class at 9:00 - 10:30 and 10:40 -12:10, no reservation is required. However, please the reservation to attend our 13:30 - 15:00 class at least 2 days in advance. (a group of more than 5 people, only).

For more details, please visit our website below.
Website: http://www.shunkoin.co
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RevTakaZen
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shunkoin-Temple-Zen-Center/141188892619012
Phone: 075-462-5488

Monday, May 7, 2012

Schedule of Zen Meditation Class in English between May 7th and 13th, 2012



Accept the impermanency. Thus, we should live in the moment. Also, Don't just focus on the formality. Understand reason behind the tradition. 

May 7th (Mon)
No class due to the temple event 

May 8th (Tue)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)

May 9th (Wed)
No class due to the temple event

May 10th (Thur)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (Already Full)

May 11th (Fri)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (Already Full)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (Already Full)
 
May 12th (Sat)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (Already Full)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (Already Full)

May 13th (Sun)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (Already Full)


Zen Meditation Class and Dharma Talk (90 Minutes): Learn How to Live in the Moment

Our Zen meditation class (including Dharma talk and temple tour) is offered according to the schedule above. Each class is 90 minutes and lead in English by the deputy head priest, Rev. Taka Kawakami. He explains how to incorporate Zen Buddhist philosophy and meditation into your everyday life by using religious, philosophical, and neuroscientific concepts.

1. 10 minutes instruction of Zen Buddhism and meditation
2. two 15-minutes meditation sessions
3. explanation of gardens and screen paintings at the temple

To attend the class at 9:00 - 10:30 and 10:40 -12:10, no reservation is required. However, please the reservation to attend our 13:30 - 15:00 class at least 2 days in advance. (a group of more than 5 people, only).

For more details, please visit our website below.
Website: http://www.shunkoin.co
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/RevTakaZen
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shunkoin-Temple-Zen-Center/141188892619012
Phone: 075-462-5488






Thursday, May 3, 2012

Shunkoin Temple Prayer Hall Restoration Foundation



We have begun the Shunkoin Temple prayer hall restoration project. 

The building was built in the 18th century and needs serious restoration of its roof. In order to complete this project, about 200,000,000 yen (2.5 million USD) is needed. 

This temple has played a key role in the spread of Japanese Zen Buddhism around the world in the early 20th century. Dr. Shin'ichi Hisamatsu, a Zen philosopher and the founder of FAS Society, lived in this temple. His friend and world-famous Japanese Zen Buddhist scholar, D.T. Suzuku, was a frequent guest at the temple. D. T. Suzuki and Dr. Hisamatsu often discussed a new philosophy consisting of both Western philosophy and Zen Buddhism at this temple. 

Your help is needed to save this historical site. The contributor’s names will be on a stele to commemorate this project. You will be a part of this historical Buddhist temple's history. 

If you would like to participate this project and know how to send your contribution to the temple, please contact us by email. We will send you the details.


Thank you for your generosity. 

Sincerely,
Rev. Taka Kawakami


Shunkoin Temple & International Zen Center
42 Myoshinji-cho, Hanazono, Ukyo-ku,
Kyoto 616-8035, JAPAN

Tel & Fax: 075-462-5488
Web: http://www.shunkoin.com 


Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Schedule of Zen Meditation Class in English between May 1st and May 6th, 2012


Accept the impermanency. Thus, we should live in the moment. Also, Don't just focus on the formality. Understand reason behind the tradition.

May 1st (Tue)
No Class due to the Retreat

May 2nd (Wed)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (no reservation required)

May 3rd (Thur)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (no reservation required)

May 4th (Fri)

10:40 - 12:10 in English (no reservation required)

May 5th (Sat)
9:00 - 10:30 in English (no reservation required)
10:40 - 12:10 in English (no reservation required)

May 6th (Sun)
No class due to the temple event.




Zen Meditation Class and Dharma Talk (90 Minutes): Learn How to Live in the Moment


Our Zen meditation class (including Dharma talk and temple tour) is offered according to the schedule above. Each class is 90 minutes and lead in English by the deputy head priest, Rev. Taka Kawakami. He explains how to incorporate Zen Buddhist philosophy and meditation into your everyday life by using religious, philosophical, and neuroscientific concepts.

1. 10 minutes instruction of Zen Buddhism and meditation
2. two 15-minutes meditation sessions
3. explanation of gardens and screen paintings at the temple

To attend the class at 9:00 - 10:30 and 10:40 -12:10, no reservation is required. However, please the reservation to attend our 13:30 - 15:00 class at least 2 days in advance. (a group of more than 5 people, only).

For more details, please visit our website below.
Website: http://www.shunkoin.co


Phone: 075-462-5488