【直営寮/Sophia Dormitory】
2025 Autumn Semester Sophia Dormitory Study Tour

上智大学直営寮（枝川寮・祖師谷国際交流会館・アルペ国際学生寮）は、国籍、宗教、文化等、多様なバックグラウンドを持つ学生たちが暮らす教育寮です。近年、学生の主体的な学びや成長実感が重視されていますが、共同生活や交流の機会を通じて、直営寮生たちはどのような成長実感や気づきを得ているのでしょうか？　

直営寮では、教育プログラムとして2023年度より「Sophia Dormitory Study Tour」を開催しています。これは、SDGsや社会課題に取り組む現場に赴き、現地での体験や人との触れ合いを通じて寮の仲間と課題解決を探求し、リーダーシップ、コミュニケーション能力、行動力等、将来役立つスキルを身に付けられるプログラムです。直営寮では留学生も多く暮らしているため、ツアーは日英両言語で行われます。

Sophia dormitories (Edagawa Men’s Dormitory, Soshigaya International House, and Arrupe International Residence) are educational dormitories where students from diverse backgrounds live and spend time together. Let’s find out how students grow and acquire self awareness through dormitory life from following articles.

“Sophia Dormitory Study Tour” is held as a one-day educational program since 2023, for those who lives in dormitories owned and directly operated by the University. This involves going to the field where SDGs and social issues are being tackled, exploring problem-solving with dorm mates through on-site experience and interaction with people, and acquiring skills that will be useful in the future, such as leadership, communication skills, and the ability to take action. Since there are many international students live in Sophia dormitories, tours are conducted in both Japanese and English.

妙心寺退蔵院松山副住職から
学ぶ日本文化

Japanese Culture Learned
from Matsuyama, Head Priest at
Taizo-in of Myoshin-ji Temple

10月24日、上智大学のキャンパス内にある紀尾井亭に、京都にある妙心寺退蔵院副住職松山大耕氏をお迎えしました。

松山氏はダライ・ラマ14世との会談、外国人記者クラブや各国大使館での講演、世界経済フォーラム年次総会（ダボス会議）の出席など、世界各国で宗教の垣根を超えて活動されています。

今回は松山氏から座禅の手ほどきをキャンパスで直接、受けることができる貴重な機会を寮生に提供しました。

On October 24, We welcomedRev.DaikoMatsuyama, Deputy Head Priest of Taizō-in, a sub-temple of Myōshin-ji in Kyoto, to Kioi-tei, located on the university’s campus. Rev. Matsuyama has been active internationally, engaging in interfaith dialogue and sharing insights on Zen Buddhism through meetings with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, lectures at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan and various embassies, and participation in the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos. This visit offered a valuable opportunity for participants to receive direct instruction in Zazen　from Rev.Matsuyama.

まずは、退蔵院のご紹介、禅の概念、歴史、そして禅が日本文化や現代社会、特にビジネスに与える影響について多角的にお話をいただきました。

その後、座禅を体験し、心の平穏や集中力を養う方法を体感しました。

参加者からは「タイパやコスパばかりが重視される現代だからこそ、心を休め、何も考えない「無」の時間を過ごすことの重要性を改めて実感した。」

「『禅とは何か』という根本的な問いから、それが日本の仏教だけでなく、他国や個人レベル、さらにはビジネスの現場でどのように実践されているのかまで、多角的に学ぶことができた。」という感想が聞かれました。

禅が持つ普遍的な価値とそれが個人の精神的な成長や自己管理にどう役立つかについて、深い洞察を得る貴重な機会となりました。

Rev. Matsuyama offered a multifaceted lecture introducing Taizō-in, the principles and history of Zen, and the ways Zen philosophy has shaped Japanese culture and continues to influence contemporary society—particularly in the field of business. Following the lecture, participants experienced a guided zazen session, gaining firsthand insight into methods for cultivating inner calm and enhancing focus.

Participants shared a variety of impressions, including: “In an age where efficiency and cost performance tend to be valued above all else, I was reminded of the importance of taking time to rest the mind and embrace moments of mu—a state of quiet nothingness.”

“From the fundamental question of ‘What is Zen?’ to its practice not only within Japanese Buddhism but also in other countries, in personal life, and in business settings, I was able to learn about Zen from many different perspectives.”

The event offered a meaningful opportunity to explore the universal value of Zen and to reflect on how its teachings can support personal growth, mental well‑being, and effective self‑management.

いつものもしもを考える
無印良品の防災プログラム

株式会社良品計画の1日ワークショップとして、「日本に住む外国人向けのいつものもしもを企画する」ワークショップ型ツアーを実施しました。

日本の災害を東京臨海広域防災公園（そなエリア東京）で体験形式で学び、体験を活かしながら、創造的な商品企画を考える1日となりました。

MUJI’s Disaster Prevention Program to think of “Always Ready for Emergencies,（ITSUMO MOSHIMO)”　

As a one-day workshop with Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd., participants joined a workshop-style tour themed “Always Ready for Emergencies,（ITSUMO MOSHIMO)” designed for foreigners living in Japan. They learned about disasters in Japan through hands-on activities at the Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park (SONA AREA TOKYO). By leveraging these experiences into creative product planning, the program successfully combined practical learning with enjoyment. Participants used MUJI’s in-store products to select items that are useful in everyday life as well as in emergencies, and developed promotional ideas based on those items.

After a lecture on disaster preparedness by Mr. Honda, a certified Disaster Prevention Expert from the ITSUMO MOSHIMO Section, Social Good Business Division of Ryohin Keikaku, they proceeded to lunch and then took part in the “Tokyo Chokka 72h TOUR,” an immersive disaster-preparedness program that teaches essential survival knowledge for the first 72 hours after a major earthquake.

Afterward, they returned to MUJI Tokyo Ariake and  engaged in group work to develop an original “ITSUMO MOSHIMO” kit that would also be practical for dormitory life.

The cooperative skills needed for disaster preparedness are essential not only in emergencies but also in everyday dorm living. Participants gained a meaningful and enriching experience—one that ultimately connects to the profound themes of protecting life and sustaining daily living.

担当者memo

直営寮の寮生を対象に2025年度は4つの企画を実施しました。

春学期に実施した企画は「KURKKU FIELDS に学ぶ持続可能な”循環型農業”」と「日本が世界に誇る器の修理技法「金継ぎ」を体験しました」です。是非、こちらもご覧ください。

Editor’s Note

There are four events completed for the 2025 academic year for residents of Sophia Dormitories.

The programs offered during the spring semester were “Sustainable Circular Agriculture to Learn from KURKKU FIELDS” and ”Japanese Culture of Valuing Objects to be Learned through Kintsugi”. Please take a look at these as well.