FROM THE GARDEN OF ZEN: July 2010

July 25, 2010

A sacred lotus flower in Tsurugaoka-hatchimangu

A sacred lotus flower is one of the most notable and bewitching flowers in the high summer of Kamakura.

In the brilliant and hot sunlight, the full-blown flower of sacred lotus is alluring insects by its delightful fragrance and sweet floral nectar.

A Japanese carpenter bee (Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans) is buzzing over the flower as if possessed by its beauty.

Fortunately the golden pollen scattered over the pink petals by such a small visitor happens to greatly enhance the enchanting beauty of this flower of summer.

A sacred lotus flower in Tsurugaoka-hatchimangu

A sacred lotus flower is also called the flower of Buddha.

The beauty of this elegant flower offers the genuine delights of this season and brings me a great blessing as the name implies.

A sacred lotus flower in Tsurugaoka-hatchimangu

I found a graceful flower of sacred lotus secretly blooming in the gentle sunbeams sifted through the leaves of trees overhanging the pond.

The rich contrasts of light and darkness brought by the shaded sunlight were adding mysterious and delicate nuances to this elegant magenta flower.

A sacred lotus flower in Tsurugaoka-hatchimangu

Sacred lotus flowers in Tsurugaoka-hachimangu

A sacred lotus flower in Tsurugaoka-hatchimangu

July 19, 2010

A sacred lotus flower in Kencho-ji

The pure and magnificent flowers of sacred lotus rise from the surface of the muddy water and bloom divinely absorbing the dazzling sunlight and blazing heat of high summer.

In the world of Buddhism, a sacred lotus flower is traditionally considered a symbol of the infinite wisdom and mercy of Buddha because this flower appears out of filthy water and blooms purely and beautifully on such impure water.

A sacred lotus flower must be one of the most precious and merciful gifts from the glaring sun of high summer.

A sacred lotus flower in Kencho-ji

A sacred lotus flower in Kenchou-ji

A sacred lotus flower in Tsurugaoka-hatchimangu

The white silky petals of sacred lotus are softly swaying in the mild breeze of summer.

The lotus flowers blooming in full glory on the surface of the muddy pond are spreading their enchanting fragrance with the kind aid of such gentle breeze of summer days.

A sacred lotus flower in Tsurugaoka-hatchimangu

I found a sacred lotus flower blooming quietly in the shade of dense green leaves.

The gentle sunshine passing through the thick leaves were throwing mellow light on the pink exquisite petals of the flower as if to pay a tribute to its pure beauty.

A sacred lotus flower in Tsurugaoka-hatchimangu

July 12, 2010

A Kuchinashi (Gardenia jasminoides）flower in Tokei-ji temple

The rainy season is drawing to the end of its gloomy domination and brilliant Ajisai flowers are beginning to fade away with the leaving of the constant rain.

I sensed the enticing aroma of sweet-smelling Kuchinashi flowers in the moist garden of Tokei-ji.

The solid white flower of Kuchinashi blooms during the transient period between the rainy season and high summer and comforts us with its elegant figure and pleasant perfume in this time of transition.

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers in Tokei-ji temple

Soon these lively flowers of Ajisai will vanish from the garden with the ending of this rainy season.

Everything is transient in life like a beautiful flower. Shaka-nyorai gently keeps on watching over these flowers and us.

A sacred lotus bud in Kaizo-ji temple

A magnificent flower of sacred lotus, which is praised as the flower of Buddha, blooms divinely in the height of summer.

In the many places of Kamakura, soon I will see the graceful flowers of Buddha blooming vigorously in the glaring sunlight of midsummer and enjoy the delightful incense-like fragrance they emit into the air.

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers in Engaku-ji temple

The pale blue of Ajisai flowers suits the humid rainy days of this season magically and relieves my melancholy mind with its alluring beauty.

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers in Engaku-ji temple

A Beni-shijimi (Lycaena phlaeas）butterfly in Engaku-ji temple

A small butterfly was absorbedly sucking nector from small flowers in the bright sunlight.

The Hojyo (main hall) of Engaku-ji temple

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers in Engaku-ji temple

Yatsude (Fatsia japonica) leaves in Engaku-ji temple

A Siokara-tonbo (Orthetrum albistylum speciosum）dragonfly in Engaku-ji temple

High summer is just around the corner. Dragonflies begin to fly around in the garden.

July 4, 2010

A moss-covered stone lantern in Tokei-ji temple

I found the dark and beautiful greenness of moss in the garden of Tokei-ji after the heavy rain of summer.

The uncommon beauty of vegetation peculiar to this melancholic rainy season is presented by the pale sunlight from the gloomy sky and the air heavy with moisture.

This deep greenness made me feel the absolute calmness of mind in the peaceful garden which secretly begins to prepare for radiant midsummer.

A Kikyo (Platycodon grandiflorum) flower in Tokei-ji temple

When the brilliant flowers of Ajisai (hydrangea) are on the decline, the azure bell flowers of Kikyo begin to bloom quietly in the garden of summer.

The vivid sky blue of these flowers announces the departure of gray rainy season and the arrival of the bright blue sky of midsummer.

A Jizo-bosatsu statue in Tokei-ji temple

The saffron-yellow flowers of Ominaeshi (Patrinia scabiosifolia) was offered as a floral tribute to the moss-covered tiny statue of Jizo-bosatsu.

The plain but lively flowers of Ominaeshi were well suited for this merciful guardian deity of travelers and children.

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers in Engaku-ji temple

Colorful Ajisai flowers are typical of the rainy season of Kita-kamakura.

They vigorously absorb the abundant rainwater and gray sunlight of this season so as to assume gorgeous colors and to dominate every garden and bush overwhelmingly by their spectacular beauty.

Bamboo leaves in Tokei-ji temple

Ajisai (hydrangea) flowers in Jochi-ji temple

A zen-cat in Jochi-ji temple

A cat perfectly lives now and here. She never regrets the past and never worries about the future. Unlike a human being, she is never possessed by hollow delusions and never spins a daydream.

D.T.Suzuki found the perfect freedom of spirit in the carefree and freewheeling behavior of cats and loved them heartily.

A Natsu-tsubaki (Stewartia pseudocamellia) flower in Jochi-ji temple

Fallen Natsu-tsubaki flowers in Jochi-ji temple

Hime-hiogi-zuisen (Crocosmia x crocosmiflora) flowers in Jochi-ji temple

An Aosuji-ageha (Graphium sarpedon) ) butterfly in Engaku-ji temple

I saw an Aosuji-ageha (blue triangle) butterfly quietly resting its beautiful but damaged wings on a blade of grass. The more a butterfly flies, the more damaged its wings become.

The typical lifetime of an adult butterfly may be something like two weeks. Such a short-lived butterfly flits across the sky earnestly and absorbedly as long as it can fly.