When I visited Oubai-in, a sub-temple of Daitokuji in Kyoto, it was raining heavily.
I met Kobayashi Taigen, the 20th head priest of Oubai-in. He was modest and unassuming, with a gentle smile, yet there was a quiet presence about him that left a deep impression on me.
What surprised me most was how naturally he spoke to me, almost as though I were a neighbor. It was difficult to believe that this gentle, unassuming man was such a respected figure in the Rinzai Zen tradition.
His calligraphy also has a distinctive character, reminiscent of the works of other accomplished Zen priests. I have always admired his calligraphy.
Oubai-in, Daitokuji Temple
83-1 Daitokuji-cho, Murasakino, Kita-ku
Kyoto 603-8231, Japan
