SHUNKOIN TEMPLE
A Temple of Rich Cultural Properties
from the 16th Century
Shunkoin Temple possesses many important artistic and
cultural properties related to Zen Buddhism,
and also has a
deep connection with Shinto and Christianity.
Shunkoin Temple is located inside of Myoshinji Temple
(the Myoshinji temple complex) and was
established in
1590 by Horio Yoshiharu, a feudal load in the 16th century.
The temple houses the historic artifacts, like the screen
paintings by Kano Eigaku and the Bell of
Nanbanji Church,
which is one of the oldest Christian bell in Japan.
In the early and mid-20th century, Shunkoin Temple
became the important place for the modern
Buddhism. Rev.
Kozan Kawakami, who was the head priest, created the
index for Tripitaka. His work
has contributed to the
archaeological researches of Buddhism. During that period,
a Zen and Kyoto
School philosopher, Shin-ichi Hisamatsu
resided here and lead his tea practices. D.T. Suzuki was a
frequent visitor of the temple and discussed Zen Buddhism
with Dr. Hisamatsu.
ACCESS
Information on how to get to Shunkoin
Temple
Address & Phone
SHUNKOIN TEMPLE
42 Myoshinji-cho, Hanazono, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
616-8035 JAPAN
Phone: +81 75 -462-5488 (international)
075-462-5488 (domestic)
妙心寺・春光院
京都府京都市右京区花園妙心寺町42
By Taxi
Please tell taxi driver to take you to the north main gate of
Myoshinji Temple (Myoshinji-kitamon) on Ichijo Street.
Shunkoin Temple is inside of Myoshinji Temple (the
Myoshinji temple complex). The temple is about 150 meters
from the north main gate. SHUNKO-IN TEMPLE in
Myoshinji Temple.
Show this to the driver:
妙心寺・春光院
タクシーでお越しの際は、一条通に面した、「妙心寺の北門」までお越しください。
そこから妙心寺の境内に入られ、150メートル進んだところに、春光院はございます。
By Train
Take the JR Sagano line from Kyoto Station to Hanazono Station (10-15 min.). The south gate of the Myoshin-ji Temple complex is a short walk from the station.
By Bus
Take Kyoto City Bus #26 from Kyoto Station or Shijo Karasuma, and get off at Myoshinji Kitamon-mae bus stop (30-40 min.). Take Kyoto Bus #61, 62 or 63 from Sanjo Keihan and get off at Myoshinji-mae bus stop (30-40 min.).
Rev. Takafumi Zenryu Kawakami
Zen- Back and Forth Between Direct Experiences and Concepts
I travel the world giving talks about Zen, other Eastern philosophies and well-being, and leading workshops about self-cultivation. I hope that the message that I put forth in these talks can find fertile ground and help fulfill people’s lives. My travels and talks have brought me to the likes of MIT, Brown University, Eton College, Microsoft, TEDx, and Mind & Life Institute. I am always seeking out new opportunities to communicate with other organizations. Please take a moment to view some of these talks, and if you are interested in holding such a talk or workshop, feel free to contact me.
Request for Talks and Lectures 
DW - Japan's marriage equality priest -
Radio program
Same-sex marriage remains illegal in Japan, but a Buddhist
priest in Kyoto is among those pushing for change. Taka
Kawakami is among the first in his country to perform
wedding ceremonies for homosexual couples.
Selected Invited Talks
- Panelist, “Self and Society,” with Ven. Tenzin Priyadarshi, at The Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Online (Jul. 2020)
- Lecturer, “Zen Buddhism and Well-being,” at The Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (Feb. 2020)
- Panelist, “Confronting Deep Uncertainty and the Future,” with Amy Webb, Future Today Institute, New York, NY (Feb. 2020)
- Lecturer, “Zen and Well-being,” Eton College, Windsor U.K. (Jun. 2019)
- Lecturer, “Zen and Well-being,” Dropbox, Tokyo (April 2020)
- Lecturer, “Zen and Mindfulness,” Center for International Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (Feb. 2018 & 2019)
- Lecturer, Zen lecture and workshops, Contemplative Studies Initiative and Concentration, Brown University, Providence, RI (Feb. 2018 & 2019)
- Panelist, “Interfaith Panel Discussion” with Rabbi Gavriel Goldfeder and Ven. Tenzin Priyadarshi at The Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Feb. 2019)
- Lecturer, “Zen and Mindfulness,” Microsoft Research, Redmond, WA (Dec. 2018)
- Lecturer, BNP Paribas Tokyo (Nov. 2018)
- Lecturer and Preparation Committee Member, International Research Institute of Mind & Life Institute, Kyoto (Sep. 2018)
Professional Activities
- Official Collaborator, Mindful Living Research, Kyoto University (2020 – present)
- Researcher, Keio University, Keio Media Design (2017- present)
- Completed SIY Engaged Program, Search Inside Yourself (May – Oct. 2016)
- Member, U.S. – Japan Leadership Program, U.S.-Japan Foundation (Jul. 2008-present)
- Project team member, MYALO by Campus for H, mindfulness smart phone application (Jul. 2014)
Selected Teaching Activities
- Lecturer, Zen and mindfulness workshop at Antioch University, Los Angeles (Aug. 2013, Aug. 2014, Aug. 2015, Aug. 2016)
- Lecturer, Zen and Mindfulness, Harvard Business School, MIT, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, University of California Berkeley, Washington University, Emory University, IESE at Shunkoin Temple
- Lecturer, LGBTQ and religion, Graduate School of Education, University of Tokyo (Jan. 2015)
- Panelist, International Student Forum, hosted by Ritsumeikan Uji High School (Feb. 2012 and Feb. 2013)
- Speaker, Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (Jul. 2012)
Publications
- Lambert, L., Lomas, T., van de Weijer, M. P., Passmore, H. A., Joshanloo, M., Harter, J., Ishikawa, Y., Lai, A., Kitagawa, T., Chen, D., Kawakami, T., Miyata, H., & Diener, E. (2020), “Towards a Greater Global Understanding of Wellbeing: A Proposal for More Inclusive Measure,” International Journal of Wellbeing 10(2), 1-18. doi:10.5502/ijw.v10i2.1037
- Sekaijū no toppu erito ga tsudō zen no kyōshitsu 世界中のトップエリートが集う禅の教室, Tokyo, Kadokawa Shoten (2016)