Kissako Zen and Tea Experience in English at Shunkoin Temple

Kissako Zen and Tea Exprience in English

Every Kissako Experience is led by Rev. Takafumi Kawakami.

This program is design to train your five senses and to deepen the understanding of Zen practice and philosophy by using traditional utensils handmade by the craftspeople in Kyoto.

• Cold infused tea preparation using utensils from Asahiyaki, Kaikado, and Kannami Tsuji.
• 20 minutes of zazen meditation
• Five-sense tea drinking
• 20 minutes of nanso meditation (a technique used by the Priest Hakuin Ekaku that incorporates body scanning and self-compassion).
• Dharma talk
• Guided tour of garden and prayer hall.
• Maximun capacity: 10 people

  Fee: 17,000 yen per person (does not include tax).

  Private Kissako experiences are also available for groups of 8-10 people. Please inquire.

  120 minutes

  Dress code:

• Socks are required.
• Short skirts are not recommended.

Cancellation Policy

• You will be charged 100% of the total fee as your cancellation fee if you fail to notifyus about the change or cancellation of your reservation at least a week in advance from your reserved date.

• Rev. Takafumi Zenryu Kawakami
  Zen priest and thinker. He is the 24th head priest of Shunkoin Temple in Kyoto and teaches Zen Buddhist philosophy and meditation, other Eastern contemplative traditions, and the cultural and religious diversity in well-being in Japanese and English to visitors to the temple. His travels and talks have brought him to the likes of the Holy See (online), Brown University, MIT, Microsoft, BNP Paribas, Gallup, TED x Kyoto, Mind & Life Institute, Eton College, etc. He is a member of the U.S.- Japan Leadership Program by the U.S. – Japan Foundation and a researcher at Keio Media Design of Keio University Graduate School of Media Design.

  Publication:

• l Lambert, L., Lomas, T., Lai, A., Diener, E., Kawakami, T., etc, Towards a greater global understanding of wellbeing: A proposal for a more inclusive measure. International Journal of Wellbeing. 2020;10(2):1-18