On September 29th, we dined with Buddhist scholar Mr. Shizuka Sasaki, originally from Fukui Prefecture, at a hidden gem Mediterranean restaurant in Gion Ponto-cho.

The gathering was organized by Mr. Motohiro Suzuki, a monk of the Rinzai sect at Shion-in Temple in Fukui Prefecture, who is also a master of smoked meats and other culinary arts. Professor Sasaki’s wife joined us that day, making for a festive gathering.

Our friends from Fukui Prefecture, including Koichiro and Hiroko, who are the son and daughter of the Ichise family and Mr. Shimomori, the director of the Wakashu Ichiteki Library, also joined the dinner. It was a warm and lively gathering.

Today is also Mr. Sasaki’s birthday.

Professor Sasaki has published numerous books and also share on YouTube videos that explain Buddhist studies in an accessible and engaging way. Naturally, he has visited India many times. During his journey along the Silk Road from Pakistan toward India, despite facing the possibility of being unable to proceed due to massive flooding, the waters miraculously receded, and he was able to see the landscape as Xuanzang had experienced it back then. What an enviable story.

We were advised that it would be good to read the book recording the travels of the Chinese monk Faxian to India in search of Buddhist precepts. There is still so much we don’t know.

Today, Mr. Daru also joined us unexpectedly, and the discussion on Indian Buddhism expanded even further.

At the Mediterranean restaurant “H” du Pont in Ponto-cho, we enjoyed wonderful wine and cuisine, spending a truly delightful time.