I Tried Zen Temple Training

Document 72 Hours – Season 8

Over 1,000 people a year come to this Zen temple in Kyoto to try training. The secret to its popularity is how easy it is to join. You can book from a few thousand yen per night for as many nights as you like, and since it shows up high in internet searches, modern people looking for a quick reset keep coming back. Monastic life runs from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., beginning with meal etiquette, followed by zazen meditation, and work duties (cleaning), creating a continuous series of cultural shocks. What is the mindset of those who seek to reflect on themselves through this somewhat rigorous training?