Ryōan-ji Tsukubai of the Ryoanji Temple (龍安寺 or 竜安寺), Kyoto, Japan
""Near the teahouse you find a famous and unique stone water basin, with water continually flowing for ritual purification. This is the Ryōan-ji Tsukubai, which translates as "crouch"; because of the low height of the basin, the user must bend over to use it, in a sign of reverence and humility.
The shape mimics an ancient Chinese coin, the sentiment is the opposite of materialism.
Tsukubai are usually of stone, and are often provided with a small ladle, ready for use. A supply of water may be provided via a bamboo pipe, called a kakei.
The famous tsukubai shown here stands in the grounds of the Ryoanji Temple (龍安寺 or 竜安寺, Ryōanji), Kyoto, Japan in Kyoto, and was donated by the feudal lord Tokugawa Mitsukuni.
The kanji written on the surface of the stone are without significance when read alone. If each is read in combination with 口 (kuchi) - the shape of the central bowl - then the characters become 吾, 唯, 足, 知 which translates literally as "I only know plenty" (吾 = ware = I, 唯 = tada = only, 足 = taru = plenty, 知 = shiru = know).
The underlying meaning, variously translated as "what one has is all one needs", or "learn only to be content" reflects the basic anti-materialistic teachings of Buddhism."""
Information - WiKi
""Tsukubai has an unique inscription; if it is not raining, you see four Chinese characters on each side of it and it means: "I only learn to be content" or “I am content with what I am”.
He who learns only to be contented is spiritually rich, while the one who doesn't learn to be contented is spiritually poor even if he is materially wealthy. This concept is important in the Zen spirit.""
Information - from the brochure
The temple and its gardens are listed as one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, and as an UNESCO World Heritage.
Ryōan-ji Tsukubai of the Ryoanji Temple (龍安寺 or 竜安寺), Kyoto, Japan
""Near the teahouse you find a famous and unique stone water basin, with water continually flowing for ritual purification. This is the Ryōan-ji Tsukubai, which translates as "crouch"; because of the low height of the basin, the user must bend over to use it, in a sign of reverence and humility.
The shape mimics an ancient Chinese coin, the sentiment is the opposite of materialism.
Tsukubai are usually of stone, and are often provided with a small ladle, ready for use. A supply of water may be provided via a bamboo pipe, called a kakei.
The famous tsukubai shown here stands in the grounds of the Ryoanji Temple (龍安寺 or 竜安寺, Ryōanji), Kyoto, Japan in Kyoto, and was donated by the feudal lord Tokugawa Mitsukuni.
The kanji written on the surface of the stone are without significance when read alone. If each is read in combination with 口 (kuchi) - the shape of the central bowl - then the characters become 吾, 唯, 足, 知 which translates literally as "I only know plenty" (吾 = ware = I, 唯 = tada = only, 足 = taru = plenty, 知 = shiru = know).
The underlying meaning, variously translated as "what one has is all one needs", or "learn only to be content" reflects the basic anti-materialistic teachings of Buddhism."""
Information - WiKi
""Tsukubai has an unique inscription; if it is not raining, you see four Chinese characters on each side of it and it means: "I only learn to be content" or “I am content with what I am”.
He who learns only to be contented is spiritually rich, while the one who doesn't learn to be contented is spiritually poor even if he is materially wealthy. This concept is important in the Zen spirit.""
Information - from the brochure
The temple and its gardens are listed as one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, and as an UNESCO World Heritage.