Living with Monks: A Month in a Japanese Temple
Emma Wilson
15 min read
The day begins at 4:30 AM with the resonate chime of a bronze bell. In the quiet of a Kyoto temple, everything else falls away.
The Discipline of Simplicity
Monastic life is built on routine. Chanting, cleaning, and Zazen meditation form the pillars of the day. There is a profound beauty in performing simple tasks with total focus—what the monks call mindfulness.
Lessons from the Tea Ceremony
Participating in a traditional tea ceremony taught me that every moment is unique. 'Ichi-go ichi-e' (one time, one meeting) reminds us to cherish the present situation, for it can never be repeated.
Finding Silence in a Loud World
You don't need a temple to find peace, but the temple provides the space to remember that peace is always within you, waiting for you to be quiet enough to hear it.
Returning to the World
Leaving the temple was bittersweet. I carried with me a slowed heart rate and a clearer perspective. Japan's spiritual heritage is not just in its buildings, but in the intentionality of its people.