Eiheiji Temple is one of the head temples of Soto Zen Buddhism in Fukui, Japan, known for its living monastic practice and serene corridors.
This initial impression of silence and simplicity may feel unusual the first time you enter Eiheiji.
If what you seek is a personal account of what it felt like to walk through this living monastery, you may find this article helpful:
This Is a Living Monastery
At Eiheiji, monks in black robes walk quietly through the corridors.
They are not performers.
They are training here every day.
The glass windows are polished so clean that they almost disappear.
The wooden floors shine.
The long corridors are extremely quiet.
This is not decoration.
This is discipline.
If you expect bright colors and dramatic architecture,
you may feel surprised.
Eiheiji is simple.
Almost severe.
But it is alive.
Be Prepared for Space and Stairs
The temple complex is large.
Very large.
There are many wide wooden staircases.
Some are steep.
I once saw elderly cruise passengers standing at the bottom of the stairs,
hesitating.
If you have knee problems, move slowly.
You do not need to see everything.
Eiheiji is not a place to rush.
What You Should Actually Look For
If you have limited time or energy, focus on these points.
The Ceiling Paintings
Look up.
Hundreds of painted panels cover the ceiling.
Each one is different.
In the silence, they feel almost suspended in time.
The Large Wooden Stick
You may notice a large wooden stick, almost like an oversized grinding pestle.
It is simple.
Unadorned.
It reminds visitors that this place is about daily practice, not display.
The Imperial Gate (Chokushimon)
The Imperial Gate is usually closed.
It is reserved for special visits.
You cannot freely walk through it.
Stand before it anyway.
The fact that it is closed tells you something about hierarchy and history.
Do Not Expect a Tourist Explanation
There are not many signs.
There are not many dramatic explanations.
This may feel incomplete.
But remember:
you are being allowed to see a working training monastery.
You are not attending a show.
You are entering someone else’s discipline.
A Quiet Suggestion
Wear stable walking shoes.
Take your time.
Accept the silence.
If you come looking for glitter, you may be disappointed.
If you come ready to observe, you may understand something deeper.
Eiheiji is not about spectacle.
It is about continuity.
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