Dr. Svante Pääbo, a researcher at a German research institute who has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, has visited a Zen temple in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture almost every year for 20 years, and has published books about his research here. was writing.
The chief priest of the temple said, "For him, it's a place where he can rest his mind and look at himself, and I think it's positive for his research."
Dr. Svante Pääbo, a Swedish-born researcher at a German research institute, has established a technology to analyze the genetic information of extinct humans and has made a major contribution to research on human evolution. was selected as an award winner.
For the past 20 years, Dr. Pääbo has been visiting Saiko Zenji, a Zen temple in Kisa-cho, Miyoshi City.
It all started when I met the chief priest of this temple, Soken Danjo, about 25 years ago.
The two met when Dr. Pääbo, who was interested in Zen meditation, visited a Zen temple in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and have continued to interact since then.
In 2013, Dr. Pääbo spent three months at Saikozenji Temple and wrote his book Neanderthals Interbred with Us.
It is said that he also stayed for three days in early last month.
According to Danjo, Dr. Pääbo practices zazen meditation every morning and eats shojin ryori (traditional vegetarian cuisine) to increase his concentration on his research during his stay at the temple.
Mr. Danjo has been talking to Dr. Pääbo about 10 years ago, saying, ``You will win the Nobel Prize in the future.'' However, in April of this year, when I said, "Next is the Nobel Prize, isn't it?", he tilted his head and said, "Maybe so." I was talking.
“For him, this temple is a place where he can rest and reflect on himself. was talking