On August 31st, the "Field Trip in Nantan," an opportunity for Nantan residents to interact with international students and foreigners living in Kyoto Prefecture, was held at Tokuunji Temple in Sonobe-cho, Nantan City, and other locations. The international students deepened their friendships with local residents by experiencing zazen at the temple and introducing themselves to their home countries.
The event is held annually by the Nantan City International Association. A total of 30 local residents and 15 international students from 10 countries, including Egypt, Indonesia, and Myanmar, interacted with the event.
At Tokuunji Temple, the head priest taught the spirit and posture of zazen, and the international students and other participants sat cross-legged for about five minutes to calm their minds.
A 35-year-old Egyptian student studying at Doshisha University smiled and said, "It was my first time trying zazen. It left me feeling relaxed and refreshed."
At the Nantan City International Community House (Sonobe-cho, Nantan City), the international students introduced themselves, joined by local residents. They learned that "thank you" in Indonesia is pronounced "Teli Makasih" and learned the locations of each country on a map. Afterwards, they experienced "Koyama Taiko" with students from Sonobe Daini Elementary School and enjoyed dancing with members of the Kyoto Yagi Yosakoi dance group.
