- Duration
- About 1 hour 45 minutes
- Group size
- 4–40 pax
- Cities
- Kyoto
- Indicative budget
- From ¥20,500 per person
The group arrives at the temple early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the grounds are at their quietest. A monk explains posture, breathing and how a session unfolds, then leads two periods of seated meditation of about twenty minutes each, separated by slow walking meditation (kinhin). The session ends over tea, with an interpreted question-and-answer time.
For a company, the value is straightforward: it gives every participant, not just the leadership team, a direct experience of attention and silence in the middle of a program usually packed with meetings. It is neither a religious initiation nor a spiritual commitment; the monk presents zazen as a concentration method open to anyone. Scheduled before a working day or a strategy plenary, it helps the group arrive focused.
This activity differs from our Zen garden and leadership retreat, which is designed for small executive committees around an in-depth dialogue with a monk. Here, meditation practice itself is the focus, the format is shorter and it works for larger groups, up to around forty people in one or two sessions.
Objectives
- Give the whole group a direct experience of concentration and silence
- Prepare participants for a working day or a demanding plenary session
- Understand how Zen shaped Japanese culture and workplace codes
How it works
- 1Briefing the day before: clothing, timing, temple rules and photography.
- 2Welcome by the monk, explanation of posture and breathing, interpreted.
- 3Two zazen periods of about 20 minutes, separated by walking meditation.
- 4Tea and a question-and-answer session with the monk.
- 5Transfer to the working session, breakfast or the next visit.
Good to know
- Loose, dark clothing recommended; shoes come off, so clean socks are essential.
- Participants sit on a cushion (zafu); chairs are available for anyone who cannot sit on the floor.
- Up to 20 to 25 people per session depending on the hall; larger groups split into two sessions or two temples.
- Best slot: early morning, before the first meeting of the day.
- Not religious in intent: no one is asked to take part in a rite.
Indicative budget
From ¥20,500 per person (private session, small-group basis). Group rate quoted according to headcount and temple; interpreter and transfers optional.
Frequently asked questions
Do participants need to be Buddhist or have meditated before?
No. The session is designed for beginners of any culture or belief. The monk explains each step, and no one is asked to pray or adopt a belief.
How is this different from your Zen garden and leadership activity?
Zazen focuses on meditation practice, in about 1 hour 45 minutes, for groups of up to 40. The Zen garden and leadership format is for executive committees and gives more time to dialogue with the monk on decision-making and management.
What if a participant cannot sit on the floor?
They meditate on a chair, which is entirely accepted. Just let us know in advance so the temple can prepare the hall.
Can the session be combined with a meal?
Yes. Depending on the temple, we can follow with breakfast or a vegetarian Buddhist temple lunch (shojin ryori), on site or at a nearby restaurant.
