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Above is a different angle on the Sanmon. These Japanese Maples (momiji) must be even more incredible when they turn colors in the fall. However, I prefer a day like the one when we were there with no people.
I believe this figure is of Matsudaira Nobutsuna (松平信綱), the Daimyo responsible for the creation of this area hundreds of years before. He is made here to look like he is practicing Zen.
Today’s first photo is of the two-storied Sanmon (山門) Gate at Heirin-Ji. Another original from the 17th Century, it was moved 25 kilometers to its present location long ago.
This cemetery (霊園) was one of several, and the only typical one we saw, on the grounds. One featured a large burial mound and then there was the stone lantern resting place (松平信綱墓) as well.
Bamboo (竹) is the Zen plant. Bamboo is pliable but nearly unbreakable, beautiful to contemplate, and wonderful to listen to when the wind blows. Bamboo is empty on the inside, but it grows at a frightening pace.
The Zen apprentices at Heirin-Ji live a simple life. We saw them doing their laundry. The above, thatch-roof building appeared to be their woodshed.
Today’s second pic is the promised one from yesterday.
The Butsuden (仏殿) at Heirinji is an original from the 17th Century. It is one of many structures at Heirinji with a thatched roof.
The above long row of stone lanterns (石燈籠) led to a graveyard of hundreds of large stone lanterns. Photos from there tomorrow as our week of Zen continues…
The highlight of the previously mentioned walk is Heirinji (平林寺), quite possibly the most wonderful place on earth.
I have been to other Zen temples before in China, Kyoto, and Kamakura. Zen temples are my favorite, but they lose a lot of their impact when they are crawling with people. Even though the weather was perfect, we visited Heirinji on a Friday, without anything in particular in bloom or changing color, which meant we shared the nearly 500 acres with about five retired Japanese couples and a few monks who live there. Needless to say, we rarely saw anyone as we explored the grounds in peace.
The top photo is of Hansobo (半僧坊). You can find this structure to the left after paying 500 yen (rather expensive but worth it) and entering through the first gate (built in the Edo Period).
Heirinji is loaded with Japanese Maple trees. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many. Combine them with bamboo and a blue-sky day for best results.
As always, you can click on these images for a much larger (and better) view.
I’ll add more photos from these Zen surroundings over the next week. Stay tuned…