– We took a tour to the ancient butstillworking Eiheiji Temple,the largesttemple inJapanandheadof

the Soto sectof ZenBuddhism. Eiheiji Temple isknown asthe “templeofeternal peace” and located inthewood-covered

mountains along the rocky coast ofwestJapan. This education andtraining centerforZenmonkswasfounded by Zen

Master DogenZenji about750 years ago and hasservedasa training centerforZenBuddhismeversince. The templeboasts

overseventy pavilions andissurrounded by tallsolemn treesinexcessof600 years old. More than 70 large and small

structures are stillstanding, withsevenmainbuildings atthe centerofthe temple.The stillness andquietness ofthe temple

makesitan ideal place fortraineemonks, one ofwhomescorted ourtourgroup. The sunlightwasdelicately filtered by the

trees.

We drove furtherintothemountainsforlunch. We knewnotwhatwe ate,

but knewitwashealthy. The Japanese have the longestlifespanintheworld,

probably due totheirpeaceful Buddha innerbeings andtheirhealthy foods

that generally lackmeat, especially redmeat, andfilledwithvegies.