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I asked: "Japanese Buddhist temples are losing parishioners, especially young people who are losing connection with the temples. What can the temples do to reverse this trend?" She responded: .
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Emi Jido
"Temples can focus on fostering a sense of community by organising regular social gatherings, retreats, and workshops on traditional practices like calligraphy, tea ceremonies, and Zen gardening. They can also offer support groups, counselling services, and interfaith dialogues to address contemporary issues and promote inclusivity. Temples can engage in community outreach by participating in local events and festivals, offering free or donation-based wellness classes like yoga and tai chi, and creating spaces for art exhibitions and performances. Establishing community gardens and local food programmes can also strengthen ties with the community. Temples can revitalise interest by preserving and sharing oral histories and stories from elders, hosting intergenerational activities to bridge age gaps, and providing spaces for quiet reflection and nature walks. Temples might consider establishing mentorship programmes where older practitioners guide younger members, creating family-friendly events to engage all age groups, and offering classes on traditional Buddhist philosophy and ethics. They could also offer traditional cooking classes and health workshops based on Buddhist principles. Additionally, they could organise pilgrimages to significant Buddhist sites to deepen spiritual connections. Japanese Buddhist temples can revitalise their connection with younger generations by embracing modern technology and social media, offering engaging and interactive online content, and integrating contemporary issues into their teachings. Hosting community events and workshops that resonate with youth interests can also foster deeper engagement. Temples could also collaborate with schools and universities to offer educational programmes, create meditation and mindfulness apps, and organise cultural festivals that highlight traditional arts and crafts. Establishing volunteer opportunities and environmental initiatives can attract socially conscious youth."
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Someone else asked about what is "Oryoki" ...
Emi Jido
"Oryoki, the mindful eating practice in Japanese Zen, embodies beauty, power, and lessons. It teaches gratitude, discipline, and presence. Each gesture is deliberate, fostering a deep connection with food and its sources. It's a meditative act, harmonising body and mind. Oryoki, meaning "just enough," involves a precise ritual using nested bowls. Practitioners eat in silence, focusing on each bite and the act of eating itself. This practice cultivates mindfulness, reduces waste, and honours the interdependence of all beings involved in the meal's creation. It’s a profound expression of Zen's principles of simplicity, respect, and interconnectedness. Oryoki teaches equanimity by encouraging acceptance of what is given, without preference or aversion. It embodies the Zen principle of non-attachment, guiding practitioners to appreciate each morsel equally. This practice helps dissolve the habit of chasing desires, fostering a balanced and contented mind. [JUNDO: I then asked, "What does it mean that a priests mouth is "like an oven" and about Oryoki as an express of gratitude?] In the context of Oryoki, a priest's mouth being "like an oven" signifies the ability to accept and transform whatever is given, without discrimination or preference. It reflects the practice of equanimity, where all offerings are received with gratitude and turned into nourishment, embodying the Zen principle of non-attachment and acceptance. In Oryoki, food is likened to medicine to emphasise its role in sustaining and nourishing the body, rather than for pleasure or indulgence. This perspective encourages mindful eating, recognising food as essential for maintaining health and supporting one's practice, rather than a source of sensory gratification. In Oryoki, expressing gratitude to the world acknowledges the interconnectedness of all beings and elements involved in producing food. This practice honours the farmers, animals, plants, and natural resources that contribute to our sustenance, fostering a deep sense of appreciation and respect for the intricate web of life that supports our existence."
Gassho, J
stlah
Probably a little of both. The more we think of "our choices," the more we may miss how influenced they can be these days. Everything from the consumer market to the state of political divisions in many of our countries is evidence of this. Our "intelligent choices" are, sadly, not completely our own free choices these days, guided as we are by corporate algorithms, fake news, fake feeds and such. 
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