Overview
Ryutai-ji is a temple of the Soto Zen school in Shimoouchi, Seki, Gifu Prefecture. Its mountain name is Shoun-zan. Differing in both school and location from the Rinzai temple Bairyu-ji in the same city, this is a Soto Zen temple that values seated meditation, its halls set in the Shimoouchi district. In a calm setting a little apart from central Seki, it is a place to join one's hands quietly.
Highlights
- ●The bearing of a Soto Zen temple that values seated meditation
- ●Halls in Shimoouchi bearing the mountain name Shoun-zan
- ●A calm setting close to central Seki
- ●A Soto Zen air distinct from the Rinzai temple Bairyu-ji
History
Belonging to the Soto Zen school, the temple carries the mountain name Shoun-zan. Soto Zen makes seated meditation itself the heart of its practice, and Ryutai-ji has carried on that teaching. Long rooted in the Shimoouchi area of Seki, its name, combining the characters for dragon and tranquility, conveys a wish for strength and enduring peace. For the details of its founding and the origins of its halls, please check the official information.
Access
Located in Shimoouchi, Seki, Gifu Prefecture, at roughly 35.51 degrees north and 136.92 degrees east, the temple lies in the Shimoouchi district on the eastern side of Seki. It is easy to reach by car from the city center. Visiting hours and parking depend on the temple's own policy, so please confirm through official sources in advance.
Best season
The stillness typical of a Soto Zen temple can be felt all year, but early summer, when the greenery of the grounds deepens, and autumn, wrapped in clear air, allow for an especially calm visit.
Map
35.5064, 136.9193 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Head from central Seki to Ryutai-ji in the Shimoouchi district
- 2Pass through the Shoun-zan gate into the quiet grounds
- 3Pay respects at the main hall and touch the calm of Soto Zen
- 4Set off home while taking in the village scenery around Shimoouchi
Did you know?
💡 The same city of Seki is also home to Bairyu-ji of the Rinzai Myoshin-ji branch, but Ryutai-ji is a Soto Zen temple of a different lineage. Similar in name yet distinct in both school and location, this is Shoun-zan Ryutai-ji of Shimoouchi.
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