Renge-ji temple is a small out- of -the- way Buddhist temple in Kyoto that has resonated in my memory for several years.
In typical Japanese fashion, the garden doesn’t appear to the viewer immediately. The simple unassuming entrance reveals nothing until you turn and enter into the quintessential “room with a view.” Here is a garden that asks nothing more of the viewer than to sit down and open your pores to the scene before you.
For me, viewing this garden is similar to the feeling I’d get as a child when looking into a snow scene in a glass ball , or peeping inside the magic world hidden inside a fanciful sugar Easter egg.
It was raining on my first visit here. The sight and sounds of the rain falling on the pond were mesmerizing. I could feel the earth breathing with me.
On my second visit, it was autumn, under a crystal blue sky. The Japanese maples set the vista aflame with color, reflected brilliantly in the pond water.
On my most recent visit, nature was not showing off, at least not at first glimpse. Now, the young maple leaves spread a chartreuse green swath across the garden.
Although beautiful, the garden didn’t have the same punch for me as it had on earlier visits. I felt mildly disappointed. Then, I was disappointed that I was disappointed. I sat with that disappointment and allowed myself to take in the garden as it was NOW. I watched my disappointment gradually dissipate.
All pice from Renge-ji temple garden
When I lit a stick of incense within the temple, a profound sense of calm had replaced my earlier unease.
Dianne, you are meditating, I know you understand it! Shanta could not take pain medicine or I did not allow it,m as his pressure would go down, and he overcame the pain by meditating. He tried explaining it to me saying he was differentiating his body from pain, which I did’nt and don’t understand! Your comment on how you overcame the sadness at the temple brought that memory to me!
Shanta always said that Buddhism is not a religion but a philosophy of life and how to live it!
Thanks for the comment, Manel. I think I might have taken a small baby step with that experience. Shanta was always trying to show us the way, wasn’t he? xoxo
Diane: I’ve been visiting Japan regularly for almost 20 years. I remember how glorious this garden is in the fall. I adore Kyoto and we will be there soon. I would love to meet you when we are there. Richard and I are total Japanophiles. We are old friends of Lorie and Michael Porter.
Dolores, We are no longer in Japan, but will return in late June/ july. Sorry to miss you. I know who you are! We Japanophiles are linked. Have a great trip and thanks for reading my blog.