Dr. Stephen Krebbs, senior lecturer at The University of Texas at Tyler, and graduate student Jesse Florendo of Whitehouse, spent approximately five weeks in Japan this past summer, where they experienced first hand the life of a priest in a Zen monastery.

Both Krebbs and Florendo stayed as special guest of the Zen Master at the monastery, which was just outside the Japanese city of Kyoto.

They shaved their heads and donned the lifestyle of a monk, eating only rice or noodles for main courses, getting five hours of sleep per night, tending to the rock and moss gardens at the monastery and meditating more than 10 hours a day.

Both said the experience was unique and worthwhile, and they would like to visit again in the future.