Those special moments

Privileged

Experiences that make your day special

A visit to the outskirts of Kyoto meant an early start, and today’s objective was to brush up on some Guiding skills. Many people that come to Japan have an interest in moss, and today was the perfect chance to learn a little more. 

Even with the rain, it turns out that I arrived at least 1 hour before everyone was to gather. Early arrival meant very few people, and therefore the perfect opportunity to walk the local area to try to learn something new. 

Today’s main attraction was the Sanzen-in Temple of Ohara area, which is where not only moss, but also many other flowers and fauna can be seen in any season. Without even a glance at the entrance of Sanzen-in Temple, I continued forward to an area where two other temples stood.

With no other person in sight and only the female staff in the reception area, I gathered my courage and paid the entrance fee to Shorin-in Temple. The staff mentioned that there was a Monk chanting his morning ceremony, but not to worry and just walk right in. Well, that just made the hurdle higher to enter. 

Listening to the chants of the Tendai Sect of Buddhism while I climbed the stairs instantly calmed my nerves. It was nearly spellbinding. The chanting continued as I entered the temple and then I could feel my jaw drop wide open. The very large Amida Nyorai Buddha Statue sitting in front of me made the early start well worth it. 

It was like feeling destiny when the chanting stopped and the Monk approached me. I don’t know if the Monk could tell that I have lived in Japan for a couple of decades, or whether he could see the sparkles in my eyes when it comes to Buddhist statues and Buddhism in general. However, he courteously said Ohayo-gozaimasu and then continued to mention that the current statues and scrolls were on a special display only for a couple of weeks. 

Don’t be afraid

And that started a 45 minute private lecture of the Temple from the Monk. I felt so privileged to be able to listen to the Temple’s history and also ask the questions I have always wanted to ask. Sometimes these things happen and when they do, they really do make you feel special. I did not want this precious time and experience to finish. 

During the 45 minutes, no other person came into the Temple. That just reiterated that I was experiencing something very special. When ever the Monk mentioned something that solved a query for me, it felt like I was connecting the puzzles to Japan’s history which is, for Kyoto, over some 1200 years. 

I guess at the end of the day, it just reinstates the fact that it is not necessary to be afraid of trying new things. Sometimes just being in the right place at the right time allows you to experience those special moments.