Shunkō-in, Buddhist meditation temple in Myoshinji complex, Kyoto, Japan.
Shunkō-in is a meditation temple within the larger Myoshinji complex in Kyoto, containing rooms with traditional tatami mats and walls decorated with gilded wooden panels. The grounds include a Zen garden and preserve a bell from the early Christian Nanbanji Church dating to the 16th century.
Feudal lord Horio Yoshiharu founded this temple in 1590 as a meditation center during a time of religious change in Japan. The preserved bell from the Nanbanji Church records this era when Christianity and Buddhism coexisted.
The garden combines Buddhist and Shinto elements, reflecting how different spiritual traditions coexist within these grounds. Visitors walking through the space experience how these layers of belief shape the place's atmosphere.
Visitors can join meditation sessions held several times weekly, with cushions and chairs available to suit different needs. The temple is accessible within the Myoshinji grounds and offers quiet indoor and outdoor areas to explore.
The deputy head priest Zenryu Kawakami, educated in the United States, leads meditation sessions in English and lectures at international institutions. His bridge between Western and Eastern practice makes this an uncommon place for cross-cultural encounter.
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