June 30, 2020
June 8, 2020
Satsuki (Rhododendron indicum) flowers: Kaizo-ji
In the bright garden at the beginning of summer, the innumerable brightly-colored flowers of Satsuki are embracing the small stone image of Sho-kannon (Holy Avalokitesvara) as if to show their deep devotion to this deity of infinite compassion.
Plants and trees must tell us their secret stories of life by the various exquisite colors, forms, and scents of their flowers.
Soon the long rainy season will start and the sky will be filled with heavy rain clouds.
Without finding it bothersome, these flowers are cheerfully blooming and voicelessly chanting the praises of the remaining days of this sunny early summer.
Kakitsubata (Iris laevigata) flowers: Kaizo-ji
The vivid violet flowers and blue-green leaves of Kakitsubata (rabbit-ear iris) were clearly reflected in the quiet water of the pond.
All of a sudden, a scarlet carp broke the calm water and made a loud splash in the deep stillness like a thundering shout of an old Zen master.
Suiren (water lily) flower: Kita-kamakura
The long-awaited flowers of waterlily are finally beginning to bloom above the calm water one after another in the bright sunlight of early summer.
A Japanese honey bee is delightedly getting into this small graceful flower to receive the pollen and nectar presented by the flower in reward for pollination.
All living things are mutually interdependent and subtlely cooperating with each other to share and sustain the biosphere of the planet earth.
In the mysterious ways that only humans never know, they must be talking with each other privately about the precious blessings which this planet gives them.
May 14, 2020
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.
Yae-zakura (Double-flowered cherry tree) flowers: Engaku-ji
A long time has passed since the full-blown cherry flowers disappeared completely like a momentary but beautiful daydream of spring. After those flowers had fallen altogether, various fresh leaves are appearing all at once everywhere, which makes me realize how fast time is passing.
In a corner of the quiet garden of Hyak-kannon (one hundred statues of Buddhist deity of compassion), the pale pink flowers of a double‐flowered cherry tree are in full bloom in the gentle afternoon sunlight of late spring.
The flying-dragon in the auspicious clouds sculptured on the Chokushi-mon Gate (gate for imperial envoys), which was once colored splendidly in the old days, symbolizes the virtue and benevolence of the emperor to be received.
Tsutsuji (Rhododendron) flowers: Jyochi-ji
Bright foliage is flourishing vigorously and the rich gradation of greenness entirely surrounds the stone steps to the bell-tower gate.
The flowers of Tsutsuji (azalea) and Shaga (Iris japonica) accentuate the deep stillness tinged with the tender green of new leaves.
Invisible birds of spring are singing merrily somewhere in the shady grove around me.
The worn-out stone stairway reminds me of the long history of this old Zen temple. I wonder how many persons have come and gone on this stairway to seek the path to the place of enlightenment.
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