Shidare-zakura (Prunus pendula) and Yama-zakura (Prunus jamasakura) blossoms in Kencho-ji

Inspired by the splendid blossoming of Sakura, various flowers of vivid colors have begun to burst into bloom hastily and fresh green leaves of plants have started to dazzle our eyes with their innocent brightness.

The lively colors of nature have returned to life now and stay some time in the gardens of Zen to make us feel the pure joy of being alive until the dim pale gray of winter silently sneaks in.

The elegant building behind the cherry trees is called "San-mon" (mountain gate) and is typical of Zen temples. It is said that we can be saved from our earthly desires by passing under this temple gate of enlightenment.

A Bodhidharma statue in Kencho-ji temple

Bodhidharma is the legendary Zen master who is believed to be the founder of the Zen sect. It has been said that he was born as the prince of a kingdom of south india and spreaded the teaching of Zen Buddhism in China in the 6th century.

This newly elected statue of Bodhidharma is a gift sent to Kencho-ji temple as a token of friendship by Shaolin Monastery of China. In this Shaolin Monastery, Bodhidharma continued to sit and meditate (Zazen) before a stone wall for nine years to achieve spiritual enlightenment.

The stern and fiery expression of this Bodhidharma image appears just about to shout angrily at us ("Katsu" in Zen) so as to awaken us from spiritual darkness.