Eihei-ji

Meaning

You climb mossy stone steps and cypress corridors as halls rise tier upon tier along the mountainside, and only the footsteps of training monks brush the silence.

A temple deep in the mountains of Fukui, said to have been founded in 1244 by Dogen, and one of the two head temples (daihonzan) of Japanese Sōtō Zen, together with Sōji-ji. It is regarded as a training ground rooted in shikantaza — 'just sitting' — its corridors and halls climbing the slope tier upon tier beneath ancient cedars.

Field notes

Location

Fukui · Eiheiji · N36.1° · E136.4°

Best time

Early morning, wrapped in mist.

Getting there

From Fukui, approach the mountain gate of Eihei-ji.

Etiquette

This is a living training monastery; move quietly and honor the rhythm of practice.

Sources

• · Encyclopaedia Britannica
• · 도겐 『정법안장(正法眼藏)』 (전거)

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