Tenzo (典座 -TENZO-)

Keep away from kings and officials; live deep in the mountains

and pass down Buddha's teachings to a chosen few.

Monk Rujing, Zen master

Japan Soto School of Zen Dojo

As a Buddhist monk's son,

I'm expected to succeed him.

10 years ago

I entered a dojo to become a monk.

"Zen" is open to interpretation.

In finite terms,

Zen means to attain enlightenment.

Master Dogen disliked this definition

and called himself

"the vessel of Buddha's teachings"

as he pursued truth in the teachings.

He believed Zen should be practiced

around the clock.

What is the best way to live this short life?

Every second of this journey

is precious

preferencing no time or place.

The teachings

can be practiced by preparing and serving meals.

Eating meals is another way to practice

Buddha's teachings.

As are the acts

of washing your face and going to the toilet.

Every moment of your life

is precious and unrepeatable.

Dogen taught us

that everything we do in life can teach us.

So he devised tenzo regimens

outlining the monks' meal duties.

May all sentient beings in the universe be equally nourished

I finished my training

and returned home.

Sorry to call you so late. This is Chiken.

I've been thinking...

You know our cooking and yoga meditation classes...

How about you include them in the Community Workshop?

Yes.

The theme could be "Food and Zen".

SWEET One of Zen's six tastes

Kounin Temple

Do I smell calabash ?

Hi. Is Hiro up?

I'll wake him.

It's from a parishioner. A sign of summer!

Now you know when the local vegetables grow.

Maybe Hiro shouldn't go to daycare today, just in case.

Right...

I thought he'd be OK with milk by now.

You'd think so.

Mistakes happen.

Calabash is good in miso soup or a glutinous soup.

With kelp, right?

You're our tenzo .

I learned a lot from Hiro's food allergies.

- I'm hungry! - You want more?

It's delicious.

Be right back.

Hello? Yes...

I had an idea.

What do you think

about the Youth Group making a movie?

My cousin happens to be a filmmaker.

So...

My first movie,

Above the Clouds

was about you

as Kounin temple's successor.

I also interwove my own story

into it.

15 years have passed

since I made that movie and now

I'm returning to the temple

to make a movie.

You really hated

the idea of becoming a monk back then.

So why did you turn around and become an earnest monk?

I feel that it's my calling.

Back when we hung out

did you imagine that Japan

would deteriorate like this?

Never.

Me neither.

And that's why I think...

we need faith now.

"Slow food" and eating sustainably

are two health trends

that resonate with our monastery diet.

In my opinion, its greatest merit

is its synchronicity with nature

which affects

our well-being.

I spent 4 years at a monastery

and the foods I ate there

cured my allergies

and severe asthma.

I have a 3-year-old son

who suffers from bad allergies.

What you learn here today

will hopefully help someone at home.

Let's get started.

I work on a hotline

for people who are in trouble.

Every year

30,000 Japanese commit suicide.

It's a big problem.

In an effort to prevent suicide I offer support.

What do you say to them?

I just take their call

and hear them out.

That's all I do.

Right...

That's horrible!

I'm not saying that you are horrible.

You're too hard on yourself.

Crisis Hotline

To Kondo in Fukushima

SOUR

Soto Zen: Fukushima Tsunami & Earthquake Disaster Relief

Mr. Kondo, it's from Yamanashi.

Crisis Hotline

- Hello. - Hi.

Have you been busy?

How about a drink tonight? It's on me.

Everyone's welcome.

That's kind of you but I'm on duty tonight.

Oh, that...

It's from Chiken.

- How has he been doing? - Good.

We just had this printed.

BEATING SUICIDE

Take it.

I wish I could help

but I'm a construction worker

now that I lost my temple...

You could still help us...

Will you rebuild it?

None of my parishioners live in the area so...

Do you visit?

The temporary housing? Yes, after work.

Well, thank you, Kondo.

I know you're busy. I better go.

Say hi to everyone.

Are you listening?

Calm down please.

I'm sorry.

I took a whole of pills.

I bet you don't know what I'm saying.

I called the ambulance.

3rd one this year.

Are you OK?

I'm not OK.

Hello?

I want this

I want that

I want more, more, more

I want this, I want that

I want more, more, more

I want them too but first I want to be able to love by myself

Hiro, what do you want to be when you grow up?

I'll be a monk.

Is that what you want?

Open the door.

Step aside.

What brought on that reaction?

Aki said he ate a cookie before bed

and it might have had nuts.

It's anaphylaxis.

The ambulance is making a right turn.

EMERGENCY

- Good evening. - You made it.

- How is he? - He's asleep bout he's stable now.

Call me if you need me.

- Thank you. - Good night.

Merci.

- I'm itchy. - Hang in there.

The speed limit is 30 km/h here.

One question

Where can I find happiness?

TEMPORARY HOUSING IN NAMIE, FUKUSHIMA

Hello!

It's me, Ryugyo!

Come in!

Thank you.

- How have you been? - Thanks for coming.

It's raining.

We'll perform the Hungry Ghosts ceremony.

Thank you for joining us.

- Who is it? - It's Mrs. Fujie about the funeral.

Can't she wait?

The funeral director needs to know.

Can't you deal with it?

Can't you see I'm busy?

It's beginning.

I apologize for the wait.

I'll go now.

- Thank you for coming. - You're welcome.