The temple of the Soto sect in Brazil, South America, which had been forced to refrain from accepting visitors due to the spread of the new coronavirus, resumed acceptance for the first time in about a year and a half, and visitors are engaged in zazen training. I'm out.
Hakuunzan Zenkoji Temple, located in Ibiras, a town in the state of Espirito Santo in southeastern Brazil, was opened in 1974 by a Japanese monk who was the first Japanese monk to carry out the missionary work of the Soto sect in the region.
Due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, we have been forced to refrain from accepting visitors since April last year, but as the infection has subsided, we started accepting it for the first time in about a year and a half.
On the 12th, a training called "Sesshin" began in the temple for several days, and about 30 people from all over Brazil were quietly meditation.
As the number of people who are interested in zazen is increasing locally for the purpose of improving their mental strength, the temple wants to increase the number of people who accept it while observing the infection situation.
Mr. Taiki Bitch, the chief priest, said, "I feel that the pandemic has increased the role of Zen in calming people's minds and spirits."