袈裟をまとって朝からお勤め　約３０人の「一日一休さん」が寺の修行を体験【岡山・美咲町】 (23/08/18 18:00)

On August 18th, a "One Day Ikkyu-san" event, where children experience temple practices such as chanting sutras and Zen meditation, was held in Misaki Town, Okayama Prefecture. (Kōzenji Temple Chief Priest) "May you all do your best today as Ikkyu-san of Kōzenji Temple." The "One Day Ikkyu-san" event, held at Kōzenji Temple in Misaki Town, has been held for about 30 years to cultivate a sense of gratitude in children. Approximately 30 local elementary school students participated, dressed in Ikkyu-san's robes. During the morning service, each child chanted sutras with heartfelt devotion, and during the Zen meditation time, they closed their eyes and concentrated. The children fully embodied the role of "Ikkyu-san" and diligently engaged in their training. (The children said…) "My feet hurt a little, but it made me want to express my gratitude." "I want to tell my mom and dad thank you for always working so hard." (Kōzenji Temple Chief Priest Shibahara Hidefumi) "This might be something they don't learn in school, so the idea that we should be grateful in various situations leads to a pure heart." Other activities included making prayer beads and copying Buddhist images onto paper. (The children said…) "We became Ikkyu-san!"