Putting Zen into practice (SLICE)

What is Zen? | The essence of Zen Buddhism

Daitoku-ji: A Glimpse into the Life and Practice of Zen Buddhism | SLICE

(SLICE) Daitoku-ji is a Zen monastery that embodies the most radical path of Buddhism [mixed with Taoism, Hinduism, and Shinto] — a return to the pure teachings of the Buddha. [These teachings are so far from the Dharma of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni as to be preposterous, mixing instead Brahmanism, Taoism, and Japanese Chan Buddhism]. Here, practice takes precedence, leading to self-discovery in perfect harmony with nature and the divine. At the heart of Zen practice lies a deep connection to nature, reflected in the design of the monastery’s gardens. These gardens are more than just a backdrop; they are an essential part of the temple’s architecture, serving as constant tools for meditation. For Zen monastics, the garden is a microcosm of the universe:

• gravel symbolizes the vast sea, rocks represent towering mountains, sand swirled in spiraling lines...

Through its serene spaces and profound symbolism, Daitoku-ji invites visitors to find peace, balance, and enlightenment (or satori rather than what the historical Buddha called bodhi) by connecting deeply with the natural world.

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Documentary: Sacred Spaces – Asian temples. Humans, Nature and Gods, directed by Véronique Legendre. Production: ZED, ARTE FRANCE, CuriosityStream We fully own the rights to the use of the published content. Any illegal reproduction of this content will result in immediate legal action. SLICE wants to fill up viewers' curiosity! Accessible to anyone from anywhere at any time, this channel is a weekly dose of short docs about curious facts, discoveries, astounding info, unusual stories, weird, fun, and instructive. Be smart, have a slice! Subscribe now ► @slicedocumentary. Become a fan: @slicedocumentary Follow 👇 In French: slicefr. Facebook: slicedocs. Instagram: slicedocs. #documentary #slice #fulldocumentary #freedocumentary #Japan #zen #buddhism #sacred #enlightenment #religion #monk #temple #tea #teahouse #nature #harmony

• SLICE, Dec. 26, 2024; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly