Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Jochi-ji

The modest flowers of Yama-ajisai (mountain hydrangea) are quietly blooming near the old well, which is called “Kanro-no-i (the well of sweet water)” in front of the small mountain gate. 

In Buddhism, "Kanro" means “the sweet rainwater falling from the heaven” and is said to be the elixir of immortality and be used as a symbol of enlightenment.

The moss-covered stone bridge over the small "Houjyou-ike" pond seems to beautify these elegant flowers moderately. Houjyou-ike is the pond of the Zen-sect style for releasing captive animals mercifully before entering into the temple garden.

The rainy season lasts for a while, and soon the dazzling midsummer arrives here. In the blazing sunlight, splendid red and white flowers of lotus will begin blooming successively in the vast "Genpei" Pond of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. The gentle flowers of the rainy season must fade away before long, and the seasons keep rotating fast and steadily before my eyes.

Tsutsuji (Rhododendron) flowers: Jochi-ji

The countless flowers of Tsutsuji (rhododendron) and Shaga (Iris japonica) are blooming on both sides of the scraped stone steps leading up to the Shoro-mon (gate with bell tower) as if to welcome those who enter through the gate and arrive at the peaceful place of nirvana.

The calm sunlight pouring down between the thick green leaves is gracefully illuminating the unmanned stone steps and the full-blown flowers to deepen the spiritual stillness of this garden even more.

Autumn leaves: Jochi-ji

 

Tsutsuji (Rhododendron) flowers: Jochi-ji

After going up the worn sandstone steps at the back of the moss-covered stone bridge and passing under the humble San-mon gate (Three Gates of Deliverance), a long, weathered stone staircase leads to the bell-tower gate and the Buddha hall in the quiet and shady grove.

The azalea flowers of various colors vividly decorate the tranquil entrance path to the humble Buddha hall.

In the Buddha hall, the three wooden images of Shakyamuni triad, namely the image of Shakyamuni (Gautama) Buddha flanked by two attendants, are waiting for us.

The framed motto hung on the San-mon gate is saying the zen words of "Housho zaikin" from the Lotus Sutra. This phase means that the nirvana of enlightenment (Housho) is within a stone's throw (zaikin) and you must take it one step further without giving it up.

Yama-zakura (Prunus jamasakura) blossoms: Jochi-ji

With the deepening of spring, the splendor of life is gradually overflowing in the gardens.

It is one of my greatest pleasures in spring to see countless cherry blossoms fully blooming again. Cherry blossoms gloriously bloom in unison as if to muster up all their vigor and soon scatter all at once like a brief daydream in the sudden sweep of warm wind.

According to the teachings of Buddha, what has a form is just a fleeting illusion which must pass into nothingness, no matter how beautiful it is. Each mid-spring, I am awoken to this eternal truth under the splendid cherry blossoms.

Yama-zakura (Prunus jamasakura) blossoms: Jochi-ji

Bamboo grove: Jochi-ji

Bamboo grove: Jochi-ji

Bamboo grove: Jochi-ji

The height of summer has already arrived here and the shiny green of trees and plants is spreading all around in the glaring sunlight.

The colorful flowers of early summer, which once sparkled lively in the gardens, have mostly disappeared, which makes me find the steady and rapid transition of the seasons.

In these ever-changing seasons, a bamboo grove continues its constant growth and keeps rising high toward the sun determinedly.

Stone steps: Jochi-ji

Gaku-ajisai (Hydrangea macrophylla): Jochi-ji

Autumn leaves: Jochi-ji

Winter is gradually deepening and the living things in the gardens are quietly preparing for this cold gray season to survive to next spring.

Deciduous trees sense the sharp drop of temperature and cut off the supply of water to their leaves. These dehydrated leaves change their colors from green to red and gold. Thanks to this splendid change of colors, fallen leaves can easily decay on the ground to return to dust.

In the biting cold of winter, living things take a long tranquil rest while dreaming of the arrival of the warm and fertile spring.

Dahlia and bamboo: Jochi-ji

Shumei-giku (Anemone hupehensis var. japonica) flower: Jochi-ji

Fallen leaves: Jochi-ji

The fallen leaves are protectively embraced in the tangled thread-like green leaves. 

Stone bridge: Jochi-ji

Autumn leaves: Jochi-ji

These colors of autumnal leaves reminded me of the evening sky aglow with the setting sun.

Fern in Jochi-ji

As spring fades and summer approaches, the once spectacular flowers of spring are disappearing from view in a quiet way and the young and fresh leaves of trees and plants are beginning to grow thicker and deeper for welcoming the dazzling sun of summer.

The singing of summer migratory birds is already heard from nowhere apparent and beautiful swallowtails have just started flitting around to seek the floral nectar of early summer.

Fallen leaves in Jochi-ji

Like the afterglow of the passing but beautiful season, the fallen leaves of gold and crimson are scattered all over the secret path in the empty garden.

Autumn leaves in Jochi-ji

Over the stone steps up to the bell tower gate, the maple in the garden has begun to turn red.