To all who participated and supported Zen2.0 2024

Thank you for attending the 8th Zen2.0, which was held under the theme "Touching the Earth". Your enthusiasm and active participation made the event a great success.

This year's theme reflected the global challenges we face, including war, important elections, the rapid development of AI, and environmental issues. In these complex times, the importance of rethinking our relationship with the earth and seeking inner peace and harmony with the outside world through Zen and mindfulness practices was emphasized.

During the two days at Kenchoji Temple in Kita-Kamakura, many inspiring dialogues were held, including the idea of planetary health and the new perspective that the human "intestinal environment" is the "earth" for us. In addition, in an attempt to transcend sects, we collaborated online with Eiheiji Town in Fukui Prefecture.

This year's Zen2.0 was also a year of new challenges. On the third day, we held the "Open Zen Experience" at Engakuji Temple in Kita-Kamakura, where we provided an opportunity to experience shakuhachi performance, chair zazen, food meditation, moving zen, and more in English. More than 70 non-Japanese speakers attended, creating a space for them to experience Japanese Zen directly in English.

In addition, Zen2.0 continued to focus on and promote the concept of "Mindful City Kamakura," which it has advocated since its founding. This concept aims to harness the spirit of Zen in modern society and build a community full of compassion and love. The plan is to create a new model of coexistence that responds to the modern challenges of Kamakura and spread it throughout the world.

Starting next year, we will build a network of sacred sites throughout Japan and expand our activities to spread Japanese spirituality to the world.

Zen2.0 aims to be a gateway to experience and learn about Japanese spirituality. At the same time, we will also develop community-based activities to realize Mindful City Kamakura.

Your participation and support was an important step towards a sustainable future. We hope that you will take the insights and learnings of these three days back into your daily lives and put them into practice in your own places. Each of us can lead the world in a better direction by keeping our feet firmly on the ground and cultivating inner peace.

Finally, we will continue our Zen2.0 activities based on the idea of expanding our perspective from "Mindful City Kamakura" to "Mindful Planet" and connecting it to the future of the Earth.

We are deeply grateful for your precious time and enthusiasm. We look forward to seeing you at Zen2.0 next year and to sharing the progress of Mindful City

Kamakura.

Sincerely.

Zen2.0 General Incorporated Association