Traditional Japanese Temple Calligraphy Experience

Find Peace of Mind and Spirit at Saisho-ji Temple Begin your experience by offering a coin and practicing seated meditation to quiet your thoughts. Then, express your gratitude to the Buddha through a traditional burning of incense. The highlight of the experience is shakyo—the meditative practice of hand-copying Buddhist scripture. Refresh yourself with a cup of Japanese green tea as you slowly and mindfully trace each character with a brush, embracing a moment of inner tranquility. To complete the ritual, gently pass your calligraphy sheet through incense smoke— purifying the writing and symbolizing a step closer to the world of Buddha. Finally, capture the memory of the experience with a polaroid photo (cheki) and a traditional temple stamp (goshuin) to take with you as a spiritual souvenir of your journey!