FROM THE GARDEN OF ZEN

August 17, 2024

Sacred lotus flower: Ofuna Flower Center (Kamakura)

In Buddhism, the lotus flower, which grows up from swamp and keeps clean and untainted by mud, has been used in its various symbolisms according to the Buddhist goal of liberating from our worldly desires and ignorance and entering into the pure state of Nirvana.

The purity and beauty of the lotus flowers, which sublimely bloom above the surface of the sacred lotus pond, are typical and essential elements in the Pure Land Sutra and other Mahayana Buddhist scriptures.

In the Pure Land Sect of Buddhism, it is said that a holy person who has left this earthly world to be born in the land of utmost bliss will incarnate on the center of the flower in the pure land.

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji

In the glaring sunlight of high summer, in front of the black-lacquered Chokusi-mon gate (imperial envoy gate), which is elaborately decorated with numerous gilded ornamental fittings in the motif of peony flowers, a red lotus bud is nobly rising from the lotus pot and quietly preparing for its blooming.

In India, the land of scorching heat, the cool waterside is traditionally considered to be an ideal place to live. The lotus flower blooming magnificently above the water surface has been respected and cherished by Indian people since ancient times, as the symbol of the paradise where they can be released from the painful reality of living.

Such respect and admiration to the lotus flower have been represented in various ways to adorn every god in Indian mythology and are inherited by Buddhism as the essential emblem of the Land of Happiness.

Sacred lotus flower: Ofuna Flower Center (Kamakura)

In the Pure Land of Perfect Bliss, the countless lotus flowers of various colors are blooming splendidly in the boundless pond, and each of them has the immeasurable petals of its own color.

These petals are shining with the light of their own colors, and each light preaches the wisdom teachings of Buddha to those who have passed away into the Pure Land so that their minds can be absolutely at peace on the path to becoming a Buddha (enlightened person).

(The foregoing translated passage is quoted from the Sutra of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life with addition of my interpretation.)

Sacred lotus flower: Ofuna Flower Center (Kamakura)

Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji

Sacred lotus flower: Ofuna Flower Center (Kamakura)

July 22, 2024

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Kencho-ji

Ajisai (hydrangea) has large oval leaves and clusters of four-petaled flowers that form colorful spherical shapes like Temari (Japanese toy handball). The countless ball-like flowers continually keep changing their colors from pale green to purple, blue or red, due to the subtle interaction between their pigments and the rainwater.

Ajisai flower has been traditionally cherished as a seasonal lovely flower and used as a design motif since the Heian period (794-1185), because of its vivid and precious appearance found in the melancholic rainy season.

In the Edo period (1603-1867), it was used as a typical pattern of gold brocade for Kiyomizu-ware and Kutani-ware potteries. Dohachi Ninnami and others, who were great artisans of Kyo yaki (Kyoto-style ceramics), used hydrangea flowers as a seasonal design of their tea-bowls used for early summer tea ceremonies.

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Kencho-ji

The rainy season (Tsuyu) arrived, and Ajisai flowers are in full bloom all over Kita-kamakura, displaying a variety of enchanting colours, as if to enjoy the blessings of the abundant rainwater which they have long been waiting for.

Their graceful colours change little by little by the chemistry of the rain as each rainy day passes. As more days pass and the height of summer gradually approaches, Ajisai flowers begin to age gently due to the decreasing rainwater and rising temperatures.

The cloudy rain period is passing quickly, and the vibrant petals of the flowers will begin to slowly dehydrate and fade away before the dazzling summer sunlight fully dominates here.

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Kencho-ji

Different kinds of flowers bloom in the different seasons to make me realise that this present world is made beautiful in itself.

The rainy season is close to end and the harsh sunlight and intense heat of summer will arrive here before long. The Ajisai flowers that have adorned Kita-kamakura with various colors are gradually beginning to fade out before my eyes just like my brief illusion in the gloomy rainy days.

According to the laws of the universe, the seasonal beauties of nature change quickly and ceaselessly without lingering, and I just stare at this impermanence in silence while praising the splendour it brings.

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers: Kencho-ji

In the grounds of Kencho-ji temple, at the end of the narrow byway, there is the minor temple called Kaishun-in (rejuvenation temple) as if to hide itself deeply in the shallow valley.

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers are quietly blooming along the pond in the tranquil garden of the temple without being seen by anyone. They are bathed in the precious dazzling sunlight of the rainy season, and are reflected on the calm surface of the pond, where a gentle breeze continues to slightly ripple the water.