Reflecting on 'Gratitude for the Present' in the Mountains of Kyoto
I walked a little from the station.
While looking at a map, I passed through a residential area and headed toward the mountains.
It was what you would call the countryside.
As I walked, wondering, 'Is there really a temple ahead?', a staircase suddenly appeared.
That was Suzumushi-dera Temple.
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Looking at the people in line, most of them were women.
Men were in the minority.
I felt a bit out of place, but I joined the line anyway.
As I climbed the stairs, the sound changed.
'It's the sound of bell crickets.'
It seems there are thousands of bell crickets in the guest hall at all times.
Through thorough temperature and humidity control, they trick the insects into thinking it's a different season, making them chirp all year round.
They even change the laws of nature through their systems.
That alone made me realize this temple was no ordinary place.
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The monk's talk really struck a chord.
While enjoying tea and a brown sugar sweet, I listened to a sermon that lasted about 30 minutes.
It wasn't a difficult lecture on Buddhism.
It included current events and humor, but in the end, it always came back to the essence of 'how to live in the present.'
Among all that was said, what stayed with me the most was,
'Being grateful for the present.'
That was the message.
Don't dwell on the past.
Don't worry about the future.
Truly see what is here right now.
I understood it in my head.
But when it was put into words again, it hit me differently.
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I told the Jizo statue wearing straw sandals just one wish.
The content is a secret.
However, the rule of 'only one' was interesting.
When told you can have anything, people get greedy.
Only when told to narrow it down to one do you seriously think about 'what you truly want right now.'
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On the way back, as I walked down the stairs again, I thought.
Living in a convenient city, I don't have many opportunities to come to places like this.
But I think it's necessary to stop and take time to remember to 'be grateful for the present' every once in a while.
The sound of the bell crickets is still ringing in my ears.