"Life in a temple reflects the changing seasons.

"From New Year's Day until the cherry blossoms of spring, and from the Lantern Festival in summer until the turning of the leaves in autumn, monks living in a temple have no lack of opportunities to celebrate the gentle transition from one season into the next. This was one of the things that made me glad I became a monk.

"They say that there is no place like Japan when it comes to appreciating all that the four seasons have to offer. Even in my temple in the middle of Tokyo we can enjoy the beautiful cherry and plum tree blossoms in the spring, the din of the cicadas in the summer, and the soft song of crickets in the autumn. Truly enjoying the seasons is most important to Japanese people.

"Clean your home thoroughly and then let the seasons pour in. There are many ways to enjoy the seasons in traditional Japanese rooms. Seasonal flowers adorn the tokonoma, and the decorative hanging scroll is replaced by one that reflects the season as well. burning incense that evokes the season is good too. The traditional shoji doors keep the heat in during the winter, while yoshido, their thinner and more breathable counterparts, keep the room cool in summer. Even changing the paper on the shoji becomes more enjoyable when you are working in step with the seasons.

"We change our outfits in the spring and autumn. The robes we wear have summer and winter versions. On the first day of wearing our summer clothing, the cool breeze blows up our sleeves and through the thinner fabric. On the other hand, the weight of the thicker winter clothes portends the coming of winter. Some of our work clothing has a thick lining, while some does not.

"This doesn't mean, of course, that we have a wardrobe full of different outfits. We have three basic ones based on what we are doing that day. By living with such a limited amount of clothing options, we are free from ever having to worry about what to wear. By stripping away unnecessary possessions and living simply, we can enjoy the seasons and our surroundings to the fullest extent.

"Get up and open a window. Take in the fresh air that blows through. The smell of the wind changes from season to season. The sounds of insects and the songs of birds tell us what season it is. Day in, day out, time marches forward and the seasons slowly shift. Buddha comes through nature and reaches out to us all. The nature you see around you is reflecting back at you what is in your heart."