“The differences in religions and their sects are similar to that of a mountain's climbing routes. After all, the summit in view is the same for all.”

300 years from the foundation by Basho. A local Zen temple with a priest that preaches on what he has seen and experienced on foot.

Zuioh-zan Rinsen-ji, one out of just four zen temples in Fukagawa, a region known for its number of temples, that has a history of over 300 years is known for its relation to Matsuo Basho. It is said that Basho who wanted to practice meditation started to visit and deepened a friendship with a high-ranking Zen priest who had built a hermitage nearby and this resulted in its foundation.

The vice priest Fujita Sohgen had no interest in entering the world of Buddhism up to his teens. But he got to know the roots of Buddhism when visiting India as a student and was drawn to its profoundness. He says “it amazed me that Buddha, an ordinary man, has been worshiped for over 2000 years.”

Sohgen came to learn the essences of religion as a whole through his encounter with other religious beliefs and other sects. He told me, “the differences in religions and their sects are similar to the various climbing routs of a mountain that end up at the same summit.” In the narrow sense, it is true that the beliefs have numerous differences. However, they all share a fundamental belief and that is the strong call for peace. And in order to realize a peaceful world, one must find internal happiness. With such belief in mind, importance is sought in zen meditation, which is a method of training self-contemplation.

His words that are build on top of what he has seen and experienced on foot are unique and persuasive. His reading of the sutra and commentary on the religion's history made me wonder what his views on the current world are. It made me want to listen to what else he has to say.