The Temple of the Jewel Dragon

Meet a real-life Buddhist abbot in a live VR experience that unfolds in three stunning spaces – a museum, a meditation space, and a temple that is the digital twin of the Temple of the Jewel Dragon in Gero City, Japan.

In today's world, anxiety is ubiquitous, spanning global conflicts, climate change, and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Yet, anxiety and existential threats have long been part of human history.

Enter Zen—a tradition that confronts the fear of death head-on. In this experience, young priest-in-chief, Houkaku Sazaki, will guide you through a mindset shift. How do we find solace in the face of mortality? You will be able to ask the monk directly in this session. You will also try the Zen method in a short meditation session.

In an astonishing twist, the modern landscape introduces an alternative: AI-driven immortality. Some speculate that within a few years, we might achieve longevity escape velocity, the point at which our remaining life expectancy increases faster than the passage of time itself. Defeating death with AI or defeating fear with Zen, which path resonates with you? Taking place on the ENGAGE social VR platform, this session invites introspection, urging us to explore these profound questions.

EVENT DATES & REGISTRATION

The event will take place on the ENGAGE social VR platform. Please kindly register to reserve a spot:

  • In Japanese for Japanese time zone: Sunday, 2nd June at 4pm JST - please register here.

  • In Japanese & English for European time zones: Sunday, 2nd June at 10am BST / 11am CEST / 6pm JST - please register here.

  • In Japanese & English for North American time zones: Sunday, 30th June at 6pm PDT / 7pm MDT / 8pm CDT / 9pm EDT / Monday, 1st July at 10am JST - please register here.

下呂市玉龍寺のデジタルツインでメタバースの体験

このVR体験では博物館、瞑想スペース、そして日本の下呂市にある玉龍寺のデジタル・ツインである寺院という3つの素晴らしい空間で繰り広げられるライブVR体験で、実在する仏教の住職に会うことができます。

現在の世界では、世界的な紛争、気候変動、人工知能（AI）の進歩など、不安はいたるところに存在しています。しかし、不安と存亡の危機は長い間、人類の歴史の一部でした。

この体験では、若き住職である佐々木方格が、マインドセットの転換を導きます。例えば死を前にして、私たちはどのように安らかな気持ちを持てるのでしょうか？そんな疑問も住職に直接尋ねることができます。また短い瞑想セッションで禅のメソッドを体験することもできます。

禅は死から逃れる道ではなく、むしろ生を受け入れる道です。この世での苦しみや不安を軽減する方法なのです。しかし、私たちは驚異的な技術の進歩と変化の時代に生きています。AI技術は死を完全になくすことを可能にするかもしれません。AIによる医療の進化が加速することで、長寿化が加速します。AIによる驚異的な医療の加速によって、人々は何千年、何百万年も生きることができるようになり、死を永遠に先延ばしにできるようになると推測する人もいます。

AIで死に打ち勝つのか、禅で恐怖に打ち勝つのか、あなたはどちらの道を選びますか？このセッションは、こうした問いについて考える機会をもたらすものです。

ENGAGEでのライブイベントの日程とお申し込みについて

  • 日本語のイベント：日本時間6月2日（日）午後4時 - お申し込みはこちらから

  • 日本語＆英語のイベント： 6月2日（日）午前10BST / 午前11 CEST /日本時間 午後6 - お申し込みはこちらから

  • 日本語＆英語のイベント：6月30日（日）午後6時PDT / 午後7時MDT / 午後8時CDT / 午後9時EDT / 7月1日（月）午前日本時間10時 - お申し込みはこちらから

HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE EVENT WITH THE ZEN PRIEST IN ENGAGE

The event is built on the ENGAGE platform. We recommend that you do the following steps before the event day, as it will take some time to set up your account and create your avatar.

  • Go to https://app.engagevr.io/register and create an Engage account

  • An e-mail will be sent to you. Click the verification link and edit your profile details

  • Download the app from the profile page or https://engagevr.io/download/ and install it on your device

  • Start the app in your VR headset or on PC (we recommend headset for the best experience)

  • Login

  • Create an avatar wearing white socks - an important step as we will enter the Metaverse version of a real Japanese temple:

    • Please select “Casual” and “Customize”, for “Shoes” please select “white socks only “

  • Save and continue

  • We recommend that you try some of the spaces in the Content menu and practice how to move using your hand controllers, as well as the VR beginner’s guide on the first page to quickly learn how to move around and toggle your mic on and off.

To Join The Live Event

  • Start the app and log in

  • Select "Join Session"

  • Select "Join by Session ID"

  • Type in ID: zdgyeq

  • Type in the password that the event organisers sent to you

  • When you join for the first time, the scene will download and you will enter automatically

We will visit three spaces during the hour long session. There is some download time when you enter a new space.

SELF-GUIDED TOUR OF THE GYOKURYU-JI TEMPLE IN ENGAGE

For those who are unable to attend the live events, we have a self-guided tour. Please see our tour guide and website for instructions.

CREDITS

Event Guide: Houkaku Sasaki, Chief Priest, Gyokuryu-ji temple, Gero City, Japan

Production and stage design: Hans Karlsson, CTO, Mimir LLC, Tajimi City, Japan

3D modelling: Jason Miller, Lead Technical Artist, Mimir LLC, Tajimi City, Japan


Meditative experience with the Chief Priest of Gyokuryu-ji temple | Runtime: 60 mins | Platform: Engage