We took up the invitation to observe the monks in their daily morning prayers at 6:30 am, followed by the "fire ceremony" at 7:00 am. Then is was time for breakfast, again at floor level. In recognition of the pain levels in some of the older knees in the room, the monks produced a couple of low chairs for those that needed them! The menu was a bit alien to us, and included pickled vegetables, tofu, beans, rice, dried seaweed, and soup. The monasteries are strictly vegetarian.
We are on the train coming back down the mountain from Koyasan. I feel very trendy because I am able to post to this blog even while we are travelling on this train! One and a half hours to get back to Osaka, where we will transfer to the high speed Shinkazen. The brakes are squealing all the way, because of the slope. The sun has come out and its very pleasant out there.
