Temple Schedule on May 1st

Zen Meditation Class and Tour

9:00 - 10:30
10:40 - 12:10 Cancelled
13:30 - 15:00 Cancelled

Temple Schedule on April 30th

Zen Meditation Classes and Tours

9:00 - 10:30
10:40 - 12:10

The 13:30 class and tour is cancelled.

Temple Schedule on April 29th

Zen Meditation Class and Tour
9:00 - 10:30 only

10:40 and 13:30 classes and tours are cancelled due to the ceremony at another temple. I am sorry for this inconvenience.

Shunkoin's Garden Today

Buddhist Wedding Service in English

Now, the information of our Buddhist wedding service in English is on our website.

http://www.shunkoin.com

Please check the section of "Buddhist Wedding Service in English".

The Schedule of April 28th

Zen Meditation Classes and Tours on April 28th

9:00 - 10:30
10:40 - 12:10

2,000 yen/person

Flowers at Shunkoin Temple

Azaleas and peonies are in the season.

Buddhist Wedding Service in English

Shunkoin Temple offers Buddhist wedding service in English

Vice-abbot Rev. Taka Kawakami performs spiritual union ceremonies in this historical site in Kyoto, Japan. The services are provided in English and held in the main ceremonial room, surrounded by 18th-century Kano school screen paintings.

Information about these services is forthcoming on our website (http://www.shunkoin.com )If you have any questions or would like more details, please contact Rev. Kawakami by email.

rev.taka.kawakami@gmail.com

We welcome all couples regardless of faith or sexual orientation.

Zen Class and Tour on April 27th

The Schedule for our Zen meditation classes and tours on April 27th

9:00 - 10:30
10:40 - 12:10

Our Zen class is designed to learn how to intergrate Zen philosophy and meditation into your life style.

For more details, please visit our website

http://www.shunkoin.com

U.S. - Japan Leadership Program Gathering

As a member of the U.S. - Japan Leadership Program, we hosted the annual gathering at Shunkoin Temple on April 23rd. It was very successful. The attendants enjoyed shojin Ryori,Buddhist vegetarian food and conversations. And, the following day, we did Zen meditation and tours of th temple.

The Schedule on April 26th

Zen meditation classes and tours are held at 9:00 and 10:40 on April 26th.

9:00 - 10:30
10:40 - 12:10

April 24th: 9:00 Only

Tomorrow, due to the U.S.-Japan Foundation Gathering, we have a Zen meditation class and tour available at 9:00 only.

9:00 - 10:40

Please Help Us to Save This Historical Site.

Donations for Temple Roof Tiles

Your donation will be put towards new roof tiles for the main worship building, and will help us preserve this historical site.

Thank you for your contribution.

If you have any questions, please contact us by email

rev.taka.kawakami@gmail.com

Sincerely,
Shunkoin Temple

Aprl 22nd: 9:00 and 10:40

Zen Meditation classes and tours are available at 9:00 and 10:40.

9:00 - 10:30
10:40 - 12:10

Walk-in guests are welcomed here. However, reservation is recommended.

If you have any questions, call at 075-462-5488 or email rev.taka.kawakami@gmail.com

Azaleas

Fresh Green

April 21st: 9:00 and 10:40

Zen Meditation classes and tours will be offered 9:00 and 10:40 today (April 21st).

9:00 - 10:30
10:40 - 12:10

2,000 yen/person
1,000 yen/person for only meditation

Peonies by the Entrance

We might need a few more days to see the first peony blooming in this season. This year, the flowers will be bigger than regular years. But, we are expecting rain in Kyoto tomorrow.

The Schedule of April 20th

The Zen meditation classes and tours are scheduled at 9:00 and 10:40 on April 20th (Tue).

9:00 - 10:30
10:40 - 12:10

I recommend you to go to Ninnaji Temple to see dwarf cherry blossoms after/before you attending one of our classes and tours. Those cherry blossoms are in the perfect condition.

Rhododendron in the Garden

The rhododendron is blooming perfectly in the garden at Shunkoin Temple. I think this week is the peak to enjoy these beautiful flowers.

April 18th: Zen Meditation Classes and Tours at 9:00 and 10:40

Zen Meditation classes and tours are scheduled at 9:00 and 10:40.

9:00 - 10:30
10:40 - 12:10

Rhododendron looks amazing at the temple right now. But, its peak will end soon because we are expecting rain on Tuesday (April 20th).

Peonies might need a few days to open up.

April 17th: Zen Meditation Classes & Tours at 9:00 and 10:40

Our Zen meditation classes and tours are available at 9:00 and 10:40 on April 17th (Sat). No classes and tours are scheduled in the afternoon.

9:00 - 10:30
10:40 - 12:10

2,000 yen/person
1,000 yen/person for Zen meditation only.

Rhododendrons are fully blooming and azaleas just started blooming in the garden in front of the meditation room.

April 16th: 9:00 and 10:40 AM

Two classes and tours are scheduled on April 16th.

9:00 - 10:30
10:40 - 12:10

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Sincerely,
Taka Kawakami

Pictures from Our Regular Zen Meditation Classes

Our Zen meditation classes are not only a one time travel experience. You can learn how to intergrate Zen meditation and philosophy into your life style. So, we welcome people with experiences or no experience to our class.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

April 15th: No Class and Tour

We have no Zen meditation class and tour on April 15th due to the annual ceremonies at Myoshinji Temple. I am very sorry for this inconvenience.

If you are interested in observing the ceremonies at Myoshinji Temple, the first ceremony is held at the Hatto (the main sermon hall) at 9:00 and the second ceremony is held at the Butsuden (the Buddha hall) around 10:50 on April 15th. Traditionally, April 15th is the first sermon day by the grand head priest of the Myoshinji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism in the spring term.

We will have our Zen meditation classes and tours at 9:00 and 10:40 on April 16th.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Also, I highly recommend you to make reservations for the classes and tours by phone.

Sincerely,
Rev. Taka

"Finding Compassion" on Kyoto Journal

My interview with David Shever, a photographer and Tibetan human rights activist, was on Kyoto Journal. We talked about our relationship to Tibet.

"Compassion, communication, and education are the key to solve this half-century-old conflict. First, I suggest convening talks between the Beijing and Tibetans with mediators, possiblyy the U.S., India, and Japan....It is very difficult to change the "adult" mind, so next we need to support large exchange programs for young people in these culture, hosting in one of those mediator nations."

April 14th: No Zen Class and Tour

We have to cancel our Zen meditation classes and tours on April 14th due to the ceremonies at the temple.

I am very sorry for this inconvenience.

Sincerely,
Taka Kawakami

The Schedule on April 13th, 2010

Zen Meditation Classes and Tours

9:00 - 10:30

10:40 -12:10

2,000 yen/person

If you have any questions, please visit our website
http://www.shunkoin.com/

Rhododendron in the garden

Rhododendron started blooming in the garden in front of the meditation room. This year, the tree has more flowers than usual. You can enjoy the flowers until this weekend or next Tuesday. My wife is from Seattle, Washington. Rhododendron is the state flower of Washington State. This is very nostalgic flower for us.

April 12th: No Zen Meditation Class and Tour

Due to the monthly ceremony for the founding priest of the Myoshinji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, we have to cancel our Zen meditation classes and tours today. I am sorry for this inconvenience.

However, we offer the classes and tours at 9:00 and 10:40 on April 13th, tomorrow.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Taka Kawakami

National Geographic Traveler: Great Stays under $150 in Japan

Shunkoin Temple was chosen as one of the great stays under $150 in Japan by the National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Cheery blossoms are blooming at Shunkoin Temple. We are enjoying the spring in Kyoto.

Cancellation of Zen Meditation Classes and Tours on April 12th, 14th, and 15th

Dear guests,

My meditation classes and tours will be cacelled on April 12th, 14th, and 15th due to the Buddhist ceremonies at Myoshinji Temple.

I am sorry for this inconvenience.

On the 13th, I offer the 9:00 and 10:40 classes and tours.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Welcome to Shunkoin Today

Welcome to my blog, Shunkoin Today.

I am Rev. Taka, the vice-abbot at Shunkoin Temple.

Here, I will provide the update information of Shunkoin Temple, Kyoto, and Japan.

Also, please visit our home page

http://www.shunkoin.com

If you have any questions, please contact me by email, as well.

rev.taka.kawakami@gmail.com

Sincerely,
Taka Kawakami