Adult practice

You create Antaiji! (Adult practice: Part 8)

I still remember my first night at Antaiji: Although the temple is located remotely in the mountains, I heard music constantly playing on the other side of the valley. Even in the city it was never so noisy. I remember that during the firs…

My Way to Antaiji (Adult practice: Part 7)

When I first came to Antaiji I was 22. I had been practicing zazen in several different dojos for 6 years, and when I did not attend a dojo, I was sitting daily by myself. Still, sitting for an hour or two daily was not enough for me, prac…

Still something missing? (Adult practice: Part 6)

Last month I explained about "adult practice" using the first two of the "eight awarenesses of true adults", that is "small desire" and "knowing that one has enough".I said something to the effect that being an adult means to realize that …

Too much is not enough?! (Adult practice: Part 5)

"You don't have to behave like a baby too!"My daughter Megumi was born in June, and since then I heard this remark quite a number of times from my wife. When a baby is born, sometimes its older siblings start to behave in a baby-like way t…

"Training" and "practice" (Adult practice: Part 4)

So what exactly do I mean with the expression "adult practice"? Before I reflect about the meaning of the word "adult", I would like to say something about "practice". In Japanese, the word is "shugyo", which can be written in two differen…

Your problem (Adult practice: Part 3)

What is this "adult practice" business all about?First of all, adult practice means to wipe one's own ass. Who wants to practice? Isn't it ourselves who make the decision to come to a place like Antaiji? If that is so, we have to climb by …

What do you "practice"? (Adult practice: Part 2)

Let me continue with my reflections on "adult practice". It will probably cost me a couple of months or more to complete this series, but I would be honoured if you joined me for a while. I would like to begin this time with the head of th…

Adult practice: Part 1

One year has passed since I became the abbot of Antaiji. Until then I had not much to worry about except my own practice, but now my responsibilities changed: Rather than being a training monk under the guidance of a teacher, I now have to…