Its been a while..

I've have started teaching and am now living in my own house. It is pretty damn sweet, but living alone does leave me a bit lonely. I haven't really had the time to try and make friends yet, which will be a tough task considering that almost everyone around me is either old or young.

I continue to be humbled by the kindness Sachiko's extended family show me. Even to the level of guilt. For example it is their custom to provide food to guests with no need for payment. Today I had some awesome pizza given to me and Sachiko's younger brother paid. They all like me a lot and are so kind, I sometimes feel unworthy of the gifts and trust they give me. Well, perhaps unworthy is not the right word, I guess I mean unearnt. I sometimes feel like a just take from them without giving, but I couldn't do anything differently because they wouldn't accept my money even though I want to pay. I guess this is a bit of a cultural clash in a way.

They also wanted to let me stay in there spare house for free. We settled on something of a token price of 300 a month which is pretty awesome.

Today we went to a temple so Sachiko's sister in law, whom is pregnant, could have the baby blessed/prayed for/cleansed of evil or some such. It was pretty amazing, I felt very much like an outsider in this situation to something sacred to these people. I wish I could have taken photos but it was not allowed.

She paid some money and then with lot of other people two monks perform a rite. One was drumming and ringing this awesome huge bell that had the most spacey ethereal sound (would be awesome in a dance track). The other was burning loft of stuff on a table facing away from everyone and doing various chants and motions. This went for about 20 minutes with certain periods involving everyone praying together. Afterwards he went around and touched everyone with his very short metal staff including me whilst chanting something.

I really like Buddhism. The concepts of humility and self-acceptance greatly appeal to me. The ceremony echoed this and was touching. It contrasts starkly with Christianity's seeming focus of denouncing everyone but Christians.

My teaching is going pretty well. I had a few difficult lessons initially but have pretty much found my feet. More on this later.