The temple in a mountainous
area removed from the hustle
and bustle of the city

 
Arriving at the Daijoji temple grounds, any concerns I had disappeared. The temple itself is located in a mountainous area removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, and it tranquil atmosphere resembles Wakayama’s Mt. Koya. To enter the temple, you first go through the “so-mon,” which is the primary main gate, after which you pass through the “san-mon,” the secondary main gate. These gates are nicknamed “black gate” and “red gate” due to their respective colors.
After entering both gates and walking a few minutes, you reach the reception for the zazen service. After taking off your shoes, you may enter the reception room. Greet the receptionist by pressing your palms together, fingertips at nose height, and bowing slightly (“gassho”). Write in your name, address, and phone number in the record book, and draw a circle if it is your first time participating. While there is no required fee to participate, donations are amiably accepted, and I noticed most people put in an average of 500 yen. This is the only form of income the monks have, and if you stay for the lecture after the zazen session, tea and sweets are served, so please donate whatever amount you feel is right.
 

Leave cell phones and
watches there, and also take
any socks or jewelry off.

 
After registering, you can wait in the waiting room until the zazen session starts around 1:30 p.m.

While in the waiting room, you should leave cell phones and watches there, and also take any socks or jewelry off. Next, walk towards the zazen room, wrapping your right palm around your left fist and putting your left thumb in the fist (called “shashu”). Before sitting, bow with the gassho hand position, then turn 180 degrees to your right and bow again.
Next, take your zafu (the cushion in front of you), and plump it up to make it round. Watch the way the monk rotates it, and do the same. Then to sit down, you must get your body onto the raised platform. Keep in mind though, that the wooden exposed part of the platform is where the monks eat, so make sure that your behind or your bare feet do not touch the wood when you prop yourself up.
 

 

Two positions to choose from:
the full-lotus position
or the half-lotus position

 
When doing zazen at Daijoji, there are two positions to choose from: the full-lotus position or the half-lotus position. The former is very hard for beginners to do, and almost impossible for most first timers, so I recommend the half-lotus position, in which you place your left foot on your right thigh.Once seated, cup you left hand in your right, with your thumbs touching each other (“hokkaijoin”).

Kinhin helped me get
the blood really circulating
in my legs

 
While doing kinhin, you will walk around in a circle using small steps. Start with your right foot, and overlap your successive steps. Your hands should be in shashu position. Personally, I felt the kinhin helped me get the blood really circulating in my legs, and was another enjoyable form of mediation. After kinhin, one bell will ring, which signifies that the first session is over. There is a short break where you can relax or go to the bathroom. Afterwards, the second session of zazen begins.
During the second session, I did not have as much success clearing my mind as I did the first time. I got overconfident due to my initial success, and ended up starting to think about the work I had to do the next week. I was recommended not to fight my thoughts, rather, to let them float in and out of my mind, which they did. At one point, however, a song persistently looped through my head and I was losing concentration. At that point, I decided to enlist the help of the monk, in the form of “kyosaku.”

“Kyosaku” may seem scary or like a punishment at first, but it is actually the monk’s way of helping you regain your concentration or get rid of your sleepiness.First put your hands in the gassho position and bow. The monk will make his way over to you and tap your back lightly with a flat wooden stick to let you know his behind you. Then, after you bend your neck to the side, he will swiftly hit your shoulder. When I had a monk demonstrate this on me in a private session, he hit me quite hard and I was surprised, but when I had this done in the actual zazen session, I think the head monk went easy on me. In any case, it is a good way to refresh yourself and regain your concentration if you feel you are getting off track.
 

Afterwards, you can listen
to the monk give
an hour-long sermon.

 
After the second 40 minutes of zazen are over, kinhin is performed once more, and then the session is completely over!Afterwards, you can listen to the monk give an hour-long sermon.This is optional though, and if you don’t understand Japanese or don’t have time to attend, you can leave.