Arriving at Biwako When I arrived at Biwako Shoshinkan, I was amazed at its appearance. After putting my things into my room and relaxing into the atmosphere of the temple, I went into the main prayer hall. A few steps after entering, I experienced a feeling like electricity running through my legs. I looked up at the Gohonzon (altar) and I felt overwhelmed with emotion. I sat down and put my hands together, and cried. I couldn’t stop crying. It was such a great feeling of release. The next day the international retreat started. I had


At Biwako with my fiance’s sister, and meeting new Dharma friends.


no idea what to expect as I had never been to a retreat before or even been to a Shoshinkan (Temple) with so many people! Having so many people around who were there to attend the same seminar was a great feeling. I felt like I was amongst an enormous group of friends and family.


Contemplation on Our Soul’s Tendencies


In the seminar we received koans (Words of Light) to contemplate on. The contemplation began with finding our soul’s tendencies, which were explained as karma that influences the way you think, feel and act. Negative karma is originally created by delusions in the mind that your soul experiences while living in this world.


discovering my true self | life experience 09


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