**ADVANCE SALES CLOSED. PLEASE PAY WALK-IN FEE OF $25 AT THE EVENT**

Buddhist perspectives and practices consistently gained popularity throughout the Silicon Valley, the Bay Area, and the U.S. Come join us on Monday, March 4^th to hear and learn about a new Buddhist technique and a pilgrimage steeped in tradition.

Chosen as one of 100 next-Era Leaders in Asia 2015-2016 by The Japan Times, Enko Sakai, who is head priest of theMyojoin Temple in Aichi Prefecture, Japan has been teaching in Japan and around the world his distinct style of mediation and stress management to create fulfilling lives. With unique qualifications, skills, experienceand knowledge, Enko Sakai has been helping people find peace and contentment, including in the pressure cooker of Silicon Valley, opening them up to new futures.  Many major corporations engage Priest Sakai for workplace stress management programs. Sakai’s new technique, called “Chair Zazen,” will help you develop a strong mind.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage is a 1,200 km (750 mi) circuit that connects 88 temples around the island of Shikoku. The pilgrimage is associated with the 8th century monk Kukai, who is considered the father of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Many pilgrims, both Japanese and foreign, seek to complete this famous route for various personal reasons, including self-reflection, healing, and honoring loved ones. Jeffrey Dym, a professor of history at Sacramento State University, has completed the pilgrimage four times. Professor Dym will talk about the history of the Shikoku Pilgrimage and its importance to Japan’s history.

Don’t miss this fun and fulfilling program that could just change your life!

仏教の瞑想を発端としながら、シリコンバレーで発展を遂げ、今や多くの企業が取り入れるようになったマインドフルネス瞑想には、様々な効果があることが科学的にも実証されいます。多くの企業で、瞑想ルームが用意されているのはご存知の通りです。愛知県妙乗院住職酒井圓弘氏が実践的な生き方、そして呼吸法や瞑想法についてワークショップをします。また、四国八十八ヶ所巡礼お遍路ツアー 体験をサクラメント州立大学のJeffrey Dym 教授（歴史学）がご紹介します。

Speaker Profile:

Priest Enko Sakai

Priest Enko Sakai was born in 1963 at Aichi, Japan. As an elementary school student, he worked as a paper delivery and milk boy to help support his family who struggled after the divorce of his parents. He tried his hand at office work, but soon decided to enter the priesthood following in the footsteps of his maternal grandfather who was a Buddhist priest. After stints in both the pure Land and Tendai Sects, he took on the hard training of the Myojoin and at the age of 42 became the Myojoin Temple Master. At age 50, Priest Sakai began to learn English, and in 2018 began expanding his Myojoin temple program in the U.S. Chosen as one of 100 next-Era Leaders in Asia 2015-2016 by The Japan Times, Priest Enko Sakai of the Myojoin Temple in Aichi Prefecture, has been teaching Japan and the world his distinct style of mediation and stress management to create fulfilling lives. With unique qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge, Priest Enko Sakai has been helping people find peace and contentment, including in the pressure cooker of Silicon Valley, opening them up to new futures. Many major corporations engage Priest Sakai for workplace stress management programs.

Jeffrey Dym
Professor of History, Sacramento State University

Jeffrey Dym has been teaching about Japanese history and culture at Sacramento State University for over 20 years. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii in 1998. He has published works on Japanese silent cinema and in recent years, has been turning his research on kamishibai (Japanese street theatre) and noh theatre into documentary films.

Schedule:

5:30 – 6:00 PM   Registration

6:00 – 6:05 PM   Welcome Remarks by Larry Greenwood, President of JSNC

6:05 – 6:10 PM    Welcome Remarks by Deputy Consul General of Japan Kazuhiro Iryu

6:10 – 7:00 PM    Program and Q&A

7:00 – 7:30 PM    Networking

Food and drinks are included!

In partnership with the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco

Venue generously provided by: