Ryoan-ji,+Kyoto

= Day 8, Friday, July 16th afternoon =
 * 1) = Ryoan-ji, Kyoto Famous Zen Temple =

My reaction to my site:

I was really impressed by the entire site. However, because it was so crowded, it was really hard to feel the peace there. While most people were quiet and contemplating their purpose; it was just too busy for any serious thoughts to enter my mind. What was surprising to me was the beautiful area gardens. I thought South Carolina was green! The amount of green there was almost like being in Wonda Land from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I forgot to mention on the bus ride, or maybe you were sleeping and didn't notice me miss this important part, but I hope you were able to see the special Tsukubai. See photo gallery for a pic. It is a little different from the rest of the ones we saw at temples because it has the special inscription. While I enjoyed my site, The Silver Pavillion's zen garden is my favorite :)

Ryoan-ji Photo Gallery
=** __History of Ryoan-ji or Temple of the Peaceful Dragon__ **=

The land Ryoan-ji is on was originally the estate of one of branches of the Fujiwara family during the Heian period. Then the estate served as a retirement home for an emperor. Later, Hosokawa Katsumoto of the Hosokawa clan branch of the Fujiwara family inherited the estate. He was a military comander of the Muromachi Period. He lived there before the Onin wars and was killed during them. Before his death, he willed the estate to be converted into a Zen sect temple complex after his death. Later Hosokawa emperors were buried there in what is known as the Seven Imperial Tombs. Their tombs today are a result of 19th century restoration. Today, the Temple belongs to the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism.

=** __Tour Highlights of Ryoan-ji__ **=

When you enter the grounds, you will see the Kyoyochi, or mirror shaped pond. The Tokudaiji family created this pond during the 12th century. The pond has become a haven to waterfowl and therefore is known to the Japanese as Oshidori ike, or pond of mandarin ducks. This tends to be a popular spot with couples because the pond has a romantic conotation due to the large population of mandarin ducks. Mandarin ducks mate for life with just one partner.

Kyoyochi has 2 small islands. One is home to a shrine devoted to Benten-the only female deity in the 7 Shinto gods of good luck. The other island is a little smaller and is called Fushitora-jima or Hiding Tiger island.

The largest building is called Kuri ,or monk's quarter. It is one of the few buildings not reconstucted in 1800. The Kuri is attached to the Hojo, or Abbot's quarters by a long wooden corridor.

The Hojo has 6 matted rooms which open to the wide veranda that surronds the building. There is an alter room in the back which is connected and opens up to 5 of the rooms. It has a dragon painted on the ceiling and an image of Buddha as the veneration object. Next to the Buddha there are many grave and prayer tablets. The Hojo also has a famous tearoom called Zorokuan. The tearoom is not available for tourist viewing.

In front of the tearoom, or Zorokuan, is famous stone water basin called Tsukubai. (SEE PHOTO GALLERY FOR A PHOTO) It was believed to be donated by the Tokugawa family. The pupose of the Tsukubai is rinse your hands prior to entering the tearoom. When you look closely at the basin, the basin has an inscription that translates "I learn only to be contented".

The most famous and photographed part of Ryoan-ji is the rock garden. (SEE PHOT GALLERY FOR A PHOTO) It is a simple rock garden consisting of raked gravel and 15 moss covered boulders. The rocks are placed so that from any given viewing angle, only 14 can be seen at one time. It is said that only though enlightenment can one see all 15. Let me know if you see it! It is also said that a person that is 6 ft tall can stand 8ft back from the front of the garden and see all 15! (But the small left boulder tends to look like a part of the one that is behind it)

=** __General information about Zen Gardens__ **=

Karesansui, or dry landscape, gardens have been in existence for a long time. However, with the developement of Zen Buddhism in the 6th century that Zen gardens really began to evolve. The purpose of the Zen gardens are to aid in the undersanding of the concepts of Zen Buddhism. The viewing and tending of the gardens are to help meditation practices. Specific materials are utilized to evoke contemplation. Rocks of varying sizes and sand of varying shades are used. Each element has a purpose in a garden of symbolic nature. Sand is meant to represent water and is often raked to provide a ripple effect in the sand. This is said to provide energy to the garden. Specific plants also have a purpose in a Zen garden. Pine trees are used because their jagged bark resembles the scales of a dragon. Plants are said to bring emotion to a garden. Using varying colors and textures evokes certain emotions. Zen gardens usually have some architectural elements as well. They will have bridges, lanterns, and pathways. The pathways are to provide a pathway to Buddha to the garden visitor. Bridges are often meant to be symbolic of philisophical doctrines of Buddha. Architectural elements are usually made with materials that can be found in nature to preserve the integrity of the garden.

= __Editorial comments__ =

I am so darn excited to visit this famous Zen garden. For the last two years I have taken my students on a field trip to Furman University to visit the Place of Peace and the Zen garden. This year a docent was unavailable to give the garden tour, so I utilized my notes provided by Jim and provided an "ok" tour of the garden. After this trip I will feel like I will be able to provide a more authentic experience for my students. I hope your tour of Ryoan-ji (or any other Zen garden we see) will evoke some participation in the experience, not merely a viewing of a rock garden. Maybe it will inspire you to create your own Karesansui!

= __**Helpful Websites:**__ = General history & walking tour []

Architecture: []

General Zen Gardens: []

Great website that entails all the parts of a Zen garden: []