Mary Catches a Cold
Mood:  down
Now Playing: Pooped and blue
Well, the go, go, go just got up and went. I'm pooped and the old bod just doesn't want to go anymore. I went to Kyoto on Saturday afternoon for the 2nd in a series of lectures on Buddhism. Got to Kyoto early and figured out how to go from the train station to the subway to JR station without going outdoors. Ta, da. This is very important to know in rainy weather. It's a short walk to the Shin Buddhist International Center (where I'm staying) from JR station. I have been getting off at another train station and always seem to head in the wrong direction. Blocks later, I discover my error and turn around. This involves a lot of extra hiking time and effort. In the rain it can be pretty exasperating and exhausting. So now, I've finally figured out how to do this easily and with a minimum of hassle and effort. yipppeee. It feels so good when you finally figure something out here. Anyway. I wasn't feeling good to begin with but I faded fast after the lecture. I decided to skip dinner with the ministers and go straight back and go to bed. By the time I walked to the International Center I discovered that I was pretty hungry so I ambled down to the local Chinese noodle shop and had the most healthy restaurant meal I've had in awhile. It was some kind of Chinese noodles with lots of cabbage, onions and other vegies, two large prawns and a green salad. I felt much better after that. They even gave me a free dessert (green tea ice cream).

So the lecture was the 2nd in a series entitled "The Essentials of Pure Land Buddhism Based on the Tannisho." The lecturer was Professor Toshikazu Arai of Soai University. He is also a Shin Buddhist minister. A follower of Shinran Shonin wrote the Tannisho. He wanted to get Shinran's words down as well as he could remember them before he died. This is a short book but full of wisdom and Buddhist philosophy. I know some of this in my head but it's hard to understand so I keep listening and reading and trying to incorporate the teachings into my life.

I had plans to rent a bicycle on Sunday morning but was feeling a bit feverish and my throat was getting sore and besides IT WAS POURING RAIN! Well, that was the last straw. I headed for home (avoiding the rain by going underground). haha. Got back and stayed home the entire day. Well, except for having to bring the video back that I rented on the way home from the train station. I always ask if the video is in English and they always say "yes" but sometimes it isn't. This one was in French with Japanese subtitles. Now, that won't work! I rented AI (Artificial Intelligence). Long movie but ok. I really liked "Bend it Like Beckham." I watched that last time.

It feels good to just stay in pajamas and read and lay around and drink tea for a change. I get close to exhaustion every once in awhile and have been lucky so far that after a day's rest, I bounce back. No major illness yet.

Even did a bit of sewing repair on my bicycle bag. I've torn it a bit from dings, bangs and an occasional all out bicycle crash. I did such a good job with a scrap of beautiful Japanese print material that I got in a fabric shop that I had to go down to David and Connie's to show it off. At the end of a relaxing day it was great to just sit around and relate funny stories about the stupid things we've done while here. Also relating some funny things we've seen.

Take for instance, going to our first tea ceremony on Saturday. We were in the lobby of the local Community Center and watching little old ladies coming in, some dressed in kimono, most pretty old. One little old lady hobbled up to the automatic glass doors that open as you approach. The doors opened, and she saw here friends, and instantly went into a low bow. Unfortunately, she hadn't stepped over the threshold and so her head was the only part of her body to make it past the doors as they slammed shut. There she was with her body outside and her head inside trapped between the doors. Everyone quickly jumped to her aid and as soon as someone cut the beam of the sensor light the doors reopened but for an instance it sure looked like a "Candid Camera" moment. Not so funny at the time for her but it still brings a chuckle when I think about seeing her head just stuck there for a moment.


So, you want to see some photos of Hamakoushien Junior High students on Sports day, please click here
Sports Day

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Kyoto BCA tour
Now Playing: Tired but Happy
Wednesday, 05 November 2003



Well, yesterday was the 4th day of a 4 day weekend for me. I was very lucky to be able to join a tour of Kyoto with my friend, Leslie, from Spokane on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003. She arrived in Japan on Monday and didn't get into her hotel till after 10pm last evening. What stamina, the group was up and at temple for services the next morning. (I slept in, oh wise one!) I met Leslie and the group of about 40 people from all over the U.S. for a tour of Kyoto.

First we headed to Sanjusangendo. This is a famous temple of "33 spaces." San means 3. Ju means ten. Sanjusan means 33, duh! There are 32 pillars and 33 spaces between them. This is a significant number but I don't recall the meaning. Within these spaces are 1,000 statues of a Buddhist God, Kannon. All the statues are carved of cedar and are coated in gold and made in the 12th and 13th centuries. They are lined up shoulder to shoulder, almost life size. Each one a little different but mostly the same design. There are risers and there's about 7 rows stretching the length of the hall. "Guardian" gods stand guard between each pillar. Some of these gods look Chinese in design but most are Hindu gods.

Next we were back on the bus for a spectacular drive out of the city and up Mt. Hiei (Mother Mountain of Japanese Buddhism). The elevation, I think is only about 2,000+ ft above sea level but it is a steep climb in a big bus. The fall colors were just spectacular. Views of Lake Biwa and Kyoto are impressive and we stopped a few times on the way up for some "Kodak moments." It is hard to believe that in ancient times monks would hike their way up these tortuous winding paths to study Buddhism at the Enryaku-ji temple.

Saicho Daishi was born in 767, entered temple at age 12, and was ordained a priest in 785. Witnessing the corruption of traditional Buddhism in Nara, he withdrew onto Mt. Hiei and "entered religious austerities" in order to see authenitic Buddhism. He built the first temple on Mount Hiei in 788. In 804 he visited China and studied not only Tendai Buddhism but also Vajrayana and Zen Buddhism. I was particularly impressed with Ninai-do (Benkei's Shoulders Hall). It is made up of two identical Buddhist practice halls, the Lotus and Constant Practice Halls, connected by a covered passageway. It symbolizes a basic teaching of Mt. Hiei that the essences of Lotus Sutra and Pure Land teachings are united. Meditation and reciting the Lotus Sutra in one hall and reciting the Amida Sutra in the other. In the 14th century this temple turned out some incredible people who would go on to establish a number of sects which still exist and are going strong today, including Jodo Shinshu. People like Shinran, Honen, Dogen, and Nichiren all studied here around the 1300's.

We knelt in awe at the view of the eternal flame that hasn't been extinguished in 1,200 years. Unbelievable. We had a very traditional vegetarian lunch at the temple dining hall that was not only delicious but beautiful with an orange edible flower and fuzzy green herb leaf (spicy and edible).

After lunch we roamed the grounds briefly trying to take as many picutres as possible. Then we were off down the mountain and back into Kyoto where we were dropped off for just an hour of shopping time in an outdoor but covered market. Everything from fans to ceramics and silk and washi(handmade paper). I have been to this market numerous times but Leslie was overwhelmed with all the variety of souvenirs and things to buy. I was so sorry that she didn't have more time to browse.

After a quick buying spree we were back on the bus and off to Kiyomizu Temple (mizu means water in Nihongo). We reached this site at around 4pm. We had a short walk through an incredible outdoor market with lots of local pottery, fans and more. We had to keep hurrying to get to the temple before it closed. Legend says that there are 3 springs here and one spring grants beauty to anyone who drinks, one grants wealth and the other health; so, of course, we all had to drink at every Shinto water fountain that we came to, just in case! The sun was setting as we approached the gateway to the temple. The gateway was brilliant red and orange in normal light, but with the sunset it was like being on fire with color. We couldn't get enough pictures. On top of the sunset, a crescent moon was off to the right of the arch. How spectacular! I just hope that my digital camera was able to capture it all. Leslie's battery was going dead and I was having a real challenge getting the lighting right but we gave it a valiant try.

Tired but happy, we landed back at the hotel at 6pm. A very long day indeeed. We had a short walk to the International Center so that I could check out of my room - rather late. Then we had a nice American style dinner and then Leslie was off to her hotel for a much deserved early to bed night. And I was off to catch the train for an hour's trip back to Nishinomiya (it sure feels like home).
Wonderful day.

Welcome
Mood:  chatty
Now Playing: Here we go again!
24 October 2003 12:58 PM KDT
Welcome

Well, this is going to be another adventure in learning. I hope that you will enjoy this blog as much as I enjoy building it.

Fall is gorgeous. There's a chill in the air and I had best bring a jacket to work because riding my bicycle back to my apartment in the evening is a tad bit brisk.

If you'd like to see some fall pictures, they will be posted soon, I hope. I'm on my way to Kyoto this weekend and this is the perfect time of the year to take some garden photos.

If you'd like to view some photos of my first month in Japan, please click here
August in Japan

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