I lived in Wakayama, Japan for two years. In northern Wakayama there is Koya-san. It has many different sects of Buddhism. My friend paid for me to go up there and do monk training. I learned the belief system, helped prepare food and participated in meditation. I had never had a meditation session like that and I LOVED it. I cant describe the feeling but it was peaceful sitting in the huge tatami room open to the outside. I could hear birds and the wind. It seems as if at the perfect moment a bell sounded and it brought that time to a close. I greatly encourage anyone to try it out there. It was just a weekend for me but it really gave me an insider’s view of that belief and helped me to understand a monk’s lifestyle even on the smallest of levels.
