View allAll Photos Tagged Ryoanji

Ryoanji, Kyoto

 

Go there with the fieldofview Interactive view.

 

dsc_4275-4309 (35 image handheld panorama)

the rock garden in Ryoanji temple

Rock garden of Ryoanji.

qutoed from ryoan-ji wikipedia:

 

An object of interest near the rear of the monks quarters is the carved stone receptacle into which water for ritual purification continuously flows. This is the Ryōan-ji tsukubai (蹲踞), which translates literally as "crouch;" and the lower elevation of the basin requires the user to bend a little bit to reach the water, which suggests supplication and reverence. The kanji written on the surface of the stone are without significance when read alone. If each is read in combination with 口 (kuchi), which the central bowl is meant to represent, then the characters become 吾, 唯, 足, 知. This is read as "ware tada taru (wo) shiru" and translates literally as "I only know plenty" (吾 = ware = I, 唯 = tada = only, 足 = taru = plenty, 知 = shiru = know). The meaning of the phrase carved into the top of the tsukubai is simply that "what one has is all one needs" and is meant to reinforce the basic anti-materialistic teachings of Buddhism.

 

The absence of a dipper is intended to imply that the water is for the soul only and that it is necessary to bend the knee in humility in order to receive its blessing.

The rock garden measures 25m by 10m. Only 15 rocks and white gravel are used to create the garden. The walls are made of clay boiled in oil. As time went by, the unusual design was made by oil seeping out. The garden was, it is said, created at the end of the Muromachi period (c 1500) by a highly respected Zen monk, Tokuho Zenketsu.

Shot for International Kodak Film Photography Day 2013. Film used: Kodak ProFoto XL 100 in 35mm format. Camera used: Kodak Retinette Ib.

Ryoan-ji belongs to Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. It was established in 1450 on the site of the Tokudaiji (also known as Enyuji), dating back to 983. But the temple burnt down during the Onin War (1467-68) and was reconstructed between 1488 and 1499.

 

The temple owes its fame to its karesansui (枯山水). a "dry landscape" of 15 rocks amidst a sea of sand. The dry landscape capture the essence of Zen Buddhism's quiet meditation and is considered a masterpiece of Japanese culture. However, the 15th century designer and its interpretation remain unknown.

 

One particularity of the rocks' layout is that, no matter where one sits, one can only see 14 of them at a time. The garden also changes with the seasons and the shadows brought by the branches reaching over its walls. The longer one stares at it and the more fascinating it becomes. Try to come early the morning to avoid the crowds, especially if you visit it during the school trip season or school holidays.

Cherry blossoms at Ryoanji, Kyoto, March 2006.

This garden is considered a masterpiece of Japanese culture.

Cherry blossoms at Ryoanji, Kyoto, March 2006.

Had an absolutely great time in Kyoto few days ago ! Saw many breathtaking shrines and temples ! These photos are from the first day of my trip ! more to come soon !

  

Read more about this day and my life in Japan at www.arihelminen.com (my website)

この日と僕の日本での生活をウェブサイトでもっと読んでね☆ www.arihelminen.com

1 2 ••• 6 7 9 11 12 ••• 79 80