A Retreat into a World of Zen: Rain, Bells and Chanting at Eiheiji Temple

Eiheiji is the head monastery of the Sōtō school of Zen Buddhism in Japan. Founded in 1244 by Zen Master Dōgen, it is still an active training monastery where monks keep ancient daily practice alive deep in the mountains of Fukui. Step away from busy tourist crowds. This slow immersive film captures the temple on a quiet rainy day. You will see brief moments of monks preparing for chanting, faint temple bells, soft rain ambience, and gentle piano. Most of the grounds stay peaceful and empty, with only a few visitors and caretakers in sight. Take a moment to settle into this world of Zen. Sit quietly and listen to the rain. I was kindly invited inside by one of the monks here. The hall was wrapped in soft, reverent stillness. It was a deeply peaceful, one-of-a-kind experience. The inner ceremony could not be filmed. 永平寺是日本曹洞宗的大本山，由道元禪師創立於1244年，至今仍是深山之中持續修行的道場。 這支慢鏡頭影片，想帶你身臨其境，走入雨中禪院。隱約鐘聲、短暫誦經、綿綿雨聲，伴著輕柔的鋼琴。寺院大多安安靜靜，只有零星訪客和庭院維護人員。 給自己一點時間，安住於這片禪意。 靜坐，聽雨。 僧人友善邀我入誦經堂。 堂内瀰漫著柔和莊嚴的寧靜。那是一段寧靜而獨特的體驗，內部的儀式不允許拍攝。 #EiheijiTemple #ZenJapan #JapaneseTemple #RainyJapan #AmbientZen #QuietEscape #BuddhistZen