Children meditate, chant sutras at Buddhist temple in central Japan

A Buddhist temple in central Japan offered children on summer vacation the chance to practice Zen meditation and recite Buddhist scriptures. About 15 children gathered at Jizoji temple in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture, on Wednesday for the annual event.

They received instruction from the chief priest, Shinozaki Chigen, on how to fold their legs and maintain a proper posture. The children meditated in silence for about 15 minutes, as the chief priest walked among them. The children then chanted the sutras with the chief priest and copied them out by hand.