29‏/07‏/2014

Zazen Hall and Paintings of Eiheiji

Eiheiji Guide 05: Ceiling decorated with 230 paintings

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

There are 230 paintings on the ceiling drawn by many outstanding Japanese painters in 1930 when the hall (Sanshōkaku) was originally built

Sign explaining the history of 'Sanshōkaku'. It was originally built in 1930 as a reception hall, and was renovated in 1994

Most paintings are of flowers and birds, but out of 230 paintings, there are five exceptions. There are two paintings of Koi (Carp), two of Chinese Lions (Karajishi), and one painting of a squirrel. If you can spot the five exceptions, you will become lucky, is what they say! And guess what?  I couldn't!

Painting of Dharma, the icon of Zen Buddhism, is on the wall of 'Sanshōkaku', the reception hall of Eiheiji temple

The sign that leads you to the seven famous buildings on the grounds of Eiheiji temple

Each building is connected by long stairs and corridors like this

Sign of the restroom, which is considered to be an important place in this temple, actually is one of the seven famous buildings of Eiheiji. Trainee monks are taught how to bathe and use the toilet to purify their body and soul in a silent, meditative manner!

Signage of 'Zazen Hall (Sō-dō, the Monk's Hall)'. This is the main training hall for trainee monks

Overview of 'Zazen Hall (Sō-dō, the Monk'sHall)'

Roof tiles of 'Zazen Hall'. 'Zazen' is literally, 'seated meditation', a meditative discipline monks perform to calm the body and mind in order to experience insight into the nature of existence and thereby gain enlightenment

This is called 'Hou', meaning, 'Fish Drum'. 'Hou' is the legendary Chinese fish, and this drum is beaten to call for monks at 2 p.m. to get them to take seats for lunch

When I visited, the 'Zazen Hall' was empty and no monks were to be seen...Bad luck!

This photo story is to guide you step-by-step as you explore Eiheiji Temple in Fukui, the Zen temple of 'Eternal Peace'. The fifth leg of the guide focuses mainly on two buildings, 'Sanshōkaku (Reception Hall)' and 'Sō-dō (Zazen Hall or Monk's Hall)'. In Sanshōkaku, you can see 230 beautiful paintings drawn by 144 distinguished Japanese painters on the ceiling of a spacious room. 'Sō-dō (Zazen Hall or Monk's Hall)' is the place where trainee monks practice Zen every day, and this building is one of the seven important buildings of Eiheiji Temple (Shichido Garan). And don't be surprised, the second of the seven important buildings is 'Tōsu (Toilet)'. Please read in the photo caption why it's important!

For other photos, please see these other photo stories, a detailed history, this article, and the other entries to this guide, the links below.