Osaka Tennoji: Private Zen Meditation with a Monk at Tenshoji Temple

Practice zazen with a monk
at Tenshoji, a Zen temple in Tennoji

Step away from the busy streets of Osaka and practice zazen for 90 minutes at Tenshoji, a small Rinzai Zen temple in Tennoji. Rather than simply visiting a temple, take part in actual practice and receive teaching directly from a Zen monk who lives at the temple. This is a private experience for your group only.

Learn the basics of Zen and the zazen posture

The session begins with an introduction to Buddhism, Zen, and the meaning of zazen. Before the first meditation, learn how to approach posture, breathing, and awareness. No prior meditation or Zen experience is needed.

Sit for two zazen sessions of about 20 minutes

Following the monk's guidance, sit for two zazen sessions of about 20 minutes each, with a short break in between. If sitting on the floor is difficult, chair meditation is available on request.

Talk with the monk about Zen and daily life

After the meditation, continue with a conversation about the relationship between Zen and everyday life. Feel free to ask about Buddhist thought, the meaning of zazen, or what you experienced during the sitting. The head monk of Tenshoji trained at Shokoku-ji, a Rinzai Zen temple, and also has an academic background in science and clinical psychology.

※ This is an active temple where practice takes place. Please respect the quiet atmosphere and follow the monk's instructions.