Shared by Kaz
I joined Hakone Zendo in 2010, and several years after I joined, Rev Ito suggested I visit Ryūtakuji near Mt. Fuji, where he received his training when I traveled to Japan for business. Unfortunately, due to its distance from Tokyo, I couldn’t make the trip to the temple then. However, last year, I made an interesting discovery. I noticed that the back of the sign displayed outside our zendo listed the names of the temples where Rev Ito had trained. Among them, Heirinji happened to be conveniently located near Tokyo. During my recent business trip to Tokyo, I took the opportunity to visit Heirinji temple.
Heirinji is located in Niiza, Saitama Prefecture.
Heirinji is a Rinzai temple primarily dedicated to the rigorous training of monks. While many temples in Japan are bustling with tourists, Heirinji stands apart as a serene and isolated temple, largely untouched by tourism and exuding a profound sense of tranquility. In the photos I’ve shared below, you’ll notice the absence of any visitors, highlighting the temple’s peaceful atmosphere.
This temple is nestled within an expansive forest, covering an impressive 106 acres, which is nearly equivalent to the size of five Levi’s Stadiums. Heirinji’s history dates back to its founding in Tokyo in 1375, and during the Edo period (1603~1868), it relocated to Saitama.
During my visit, I had the privilege to explore the temple grounds, although access to the main hall, where monks undergo their training, was restricted. It’s worth noting that Rinzai Zen Buddhism was closely associated with samurai and aristocracy, and I observed substantial cemeteries dedicated to the Okochi Matsudaira clan, underscoring the temple’s historical significance.
While exploring the woods, I came across a sign about the practice of zazen.
朝に坐れば勇気
夕に坐れば感謝
正しく坐れば健康
続けて坐れば長寿
静かに坐れば智慧
“Sitting in the morning brings courage,
Sitting in the evening brings gratitude,
Sitting correctly brings health,
Continuing to sit brings longevity,
Sitting quietly brings wisdom.”
I’m glad I had the opportunity to visit one of the temples where Rev. Ito trained. I look forward to exploring other temples when the opportunity arises.
Hakone Zendo 