July 30, 2020

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji


Without being discouraged by the shortage of sunshine due to the inordinately long spell of rainy weather in this summer, lotus flowers are beginning to bloom nobly with all their might this year too. 

For a plant, its flowering and pollination must be the most important rituals of life, for which it must have spent the whole year to prepare diligently.

The life span of a lotus flower is about only four days, and once the pollination is completed, its silky petals silently fall off in rapid succession without any hesitation.

The noble beauty of this snowy flower makes me sense the innermost delight of this plant which was able to accomplish its blooming finally.


Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji


The lotus is an ancient and primitive plant that has survived on the earth so long that its fossils have been found in many places. 

The species of plant ancestral to modern lotus plants is said to have appeared on the earth in the Cretaceous Period, about 100 million years ago, when dinosaurs were ruling over this planet earth. 

It is characteristic of primitive flowers that they have a very large number of petals, stamens, and pistils. 

During the evolution of the lotus flower, the stigma of this flower had been flattened to make it easier for scarab beetles to move around on it, as they are the leading insects responsible for the pollination of this mystic ancient flower.


Sacred lotus flowers: Kencho-ji

Sacred lotus flowers: Kencho-ji


The white flowers and deep green leaves of sacred lotus are tranquilly rising from the lotus bowls beside the black lacquered Chokusi-mon (imperial envoy gate) decorated with the gilded auspicious ornaments.

In Buddhist culture, the sacred lotus flower, which emerges beautifully from the midst of dark mud, is said to symbolize the great enlightenment of Buddha. 

According to the Kegon-kyo (the Flower Garland Sutra), Rushana-butsu (the central deity coming from the sun) sits atop the stigma of a lotus flower and keeps illuminating the whole universe with the pure light of his great wisdom and compassion.



Sacred lotus flower: Komyo-ji (Zushi)

Sacred lotus flower: Komyo-ji (Zushi)

Sacred lotus flower: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

Sacred lotus flower: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

Yama-yuri (Lilium auratum) flowers: Kencho-ji

Yama-yuri (Lilium auratum) flowers: Kencho-ji

Kanoko-yuri (Lilium speciosum) flowers: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

Kanoko-yuri (Lilium speciosum) flowers: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

Nouzen-kazura (Campsis grandiflora) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Nouzen-kazura (Campsis grandiflora) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Sacred lotus flowers: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

Sacred lotus flowers: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

Sacred lotus flower: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

Sacred lotus flower: Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

Water lily flowers: Kaizo-ji

Water lily flowers: Kaizo-ji