May 7, 2021

Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji

Botan (Paeonia suffruticosa) flowers: Kencho-ji


D.T. Suzuki, a renowned Buddhist philosopher who introduced the philosophy of Zen Buddhism to the West, spent his last years of busy research life at the ”Matsugaoka Bunko (library)” built within the precincts of Tokei-ji Temple in Kita-Kamakura.

This great Buddhist philosopher dearly loved the magnificent deep-red flowers of Botan (peony) which could be seen through the window of his library every spring.

He is said to highly praise the deep-red peony flowers in the garden of fresh green as the wonderful manifestation of the life force of the earth and to cut off and press the petals of the overblown flowers for the bookmarks between the pages of his sacred Buddhist books.

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