It’s Enough to Be Alive: Finding Buddha Wisdom Through a Private Zazen Lesson in Japan

Shinya Yamada
2 days ago
3 min read

Seeking Real Buddha Wisdom? Join a Rare Zazen Experience in Japan

Just a short walk from Tokyo’s cultural enclave of Kagurazaka, Denchu-ji Temple offers a rare and deeply personal zazen experience led by an English-speaking Buddhist monk. While the chance to meditate in a serene, tatami-matted temple is special in itself, many visitors find the true impact comes afterward — through a Buddhist parable shared by the monk. This may be one of the few opportunities in Japan to experience the kind of zazen that Buddha himself might have envisioned.

Unconscious Kindness and Gratitude: Discovering the Spirit of Okagesama

In a previous blog, we explored the meaning of the poetic Zen phrase: “Scooping up water, you will find the moon in your hands.” This time, we would like to share the teaching behind the Japanese phrase "Okagesama (おかげさま)," commonly used to express gratitude.

The origin of "Okagesama" lies in a Buddhist metaphor involving the shade of a tree (kokage). The Japanese phrase “Okagesama” originates from “kokage,” which means “shade of a tree.” The word combines the honorific prefix "o" and the polite suffix "sama," reflecting respect and gratitude.

On a sweltering summer day, stepping into the cool shade of a tree brings comfort, yet the tree is not consciously providing shade for your benefit. Still, we feel gratitude toward the tree. That unconscious act of support, and the gratitude we feel in response, is the essence of okagesama.

Helping Without Knowing: The Quiet Wisdom of Okagesama

The concept teaches that our lives are made possible by countless unseen forces outside ourselves. In recognizing this, we acknowledge that our existence is intertwined with the world and people around us, and we express our appreciation simply by saying Okagesama.

From the tree’s perspective, it is not standing there to help others. It simply exists. Yet by existing, it provides relief to others. Similarly, we, too, by simply being, may be helping someone without even realizing it. This idea — that unconscious acts of presence and kindness hold society together — is deeply humbling and uplifting.

It’s Enough to Be Alive: The Healing Wisdom of Okagesama

In modern society, we often speak of our need for validation, to feel useful or valued. When people lose sight of their self-worth, it can lead to anxiety, depression, and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts. But what if, as the parable suggests, the mere fact of being alive is already of value? This realization can relieve the pressure to "prove" oneself and invite a gentler way of living.

Many participants leave the session visibly moved by the monk’s Okagesama parable. Some tear up as the realization sinks in: "It’s enough to simply be alive." For some, it transforms what began as a curiosity-driven zazen experience into a life-changing encounter with Buddhist wisdom.