Za-Zen meditation was at first slightly awkward experience to my mind. We had two meditation sessions, first 7 minutes, second 10 minutes. But instead of rising opposing feelings the event turned out as neutral. Sitting quietly having legs crossed made both sets feel like half an hour. Every body was quietly staring ahead with half open eyes. The state of being was relaxing and felt more like getting out of the stress and noise of everyday life, rather than being religious. For many it would do good to just stop and sit quietly for a while and listen the sounds around, feel the breath and enjoy the moment.
Tradition is to serve green tea after meditation.
The Futagoji shrine is one of remaining structures of the times when Shinto and Buddhism assimilated. On our visit a priest made a prayer for the future of our studies, after which we had some time to wander around the temple area.
I understand that a source of income is needed to keep up temple activity. But monks selling cell phone straps and other gadgets incline more to merchants side than to religious activity.
At the end of the day we had a change to refill our dwindling C-vitamin reserves (though it can't be reserved) Heaps and heaps of mandarins waited their pickers at the Sekiguchi Kanko Noen farm. After dismounting from bus, we were given about one hour to eat as many mandarins as possible.
Awww... Sweet, orange, ripe mandarins they were gorgeous!! Now, all the exchange students are immune to swine-flu! :)
Eating wasn't the only joy. Anyone who so wished could pick mandarins for a kilo price of 200 yen / 1,50 e. The offer was too tempting to leave. My basket was 3,5 kilos but our Dutch friend carried out more than 7 kilos! I wonder if he can eat them all...?
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