Nourishment for Body and Soul
Ryoyu Kurasawa, head priest of a Buddhist
temple in Haguroyama, Japan, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a
balanced supply of nutrients for both body and mind as essential to human
well-being. He advocates cultivating health not only physically but also
mentally by achieving this harmony. To nurture the soul, he highlights the
value of quietness, cleanliness, and simplicity. In silence, one can attune to
the rhythms of nature—feeling the pulse of life and sensing the fragrant breath
of trees—which restores inner peace. A clean environment, he explains, purifies
the heart and brings clarity, while simplicity nurtures peace of mind. These
forms of spiritual nourishment provide the strength needed for life’s journey.
Many temples across Japan embody such environments that revitalize the soul,
offering visitors a renewed sense of energy and reminding them of the deep
sustenance these sacred spaces provide.