FROM THE GARDEN OF ZEN: March 2023

March 19, 2023

Tsubaki (camellia) flowers: Engaku-ji

In the front garden of the Hojo (main temple hall), where the red apricot trees have already blossomed in full bloom to herald the arrival of spring, the crimson flowers of spring camellias are quietly blooming beside the old moss-covered stone statue of Byakue-kannon (Buddhist deity of mercy wearing white robes) to quietly celebrate the arrival of spring.

In spring, various plants and trees competitively bear their flowers one after another, while releasing the precious beauty and pleasant fragrance, and then those flowers must disappear fleetingly one by one.

The white-robed Kannon seems to be bending his ear lovingly to the inaudible innocent voices of these spring camellia flowers, that are now blooming brightly and will soon pass away silently. His gentle and merciful smile may teach them that all living beings are impermanent and transient according to the law of this universe.

Shidare-ume (weeping Japanese apricot) flowers: Kaizo-ji

Buddha taught that all things that seem to exist distinctly in this world are genuinely ephemeral and momentary like the bubbles of water, and that, no matter how beautiful a flower may be, it is empty to be enchanted by its fleeting beauty and to cling to this fragile dream as if it could last forever.

Although it is true, undoubtedly these flowers of spring are beautiful and fascinate those who find them, as they are blossoming in full bloom at the moment after enduring the ordeals of the long winter.

I believe that even Buddha, who had already attained enlightenment and had conquered all his delusions, may be captivated by the innocent beauty of these spring flowers for a spell of time when he catches sight of them.

Red Ume (Japanese apricot) flowers: Engaku-ji

Although the easterly wind, that notifies the return of spring, had not begun to blow yet, in the chilly garden where the warm sunlight was still scarce, I found the small flowers of a red apricot tree blooming vividly like the adorable hair ornaments for girls, while releasing a faint fragrant scent of spring into the calm air.

In Asia, the plum or apricot flower has been considered to symbolically represent a pure and innocent girl, because it blooms as if to cheerfully express the joy of spring in the midst of severe cold weather.

In Japan, people have called it "Harutuge-gusa" which means "the flower heralding the arrival of spring" and have admired its graceful virtue which daintily overcomes the harshness of long winter.

Kawazu-zakura (Cerasus × kanzakura ‘Kawazu-zakura’) flowers: Engaku-ji

With the arrival of spring, everything is gradually coming to life again. The lively chirping of a bush warbler has just begun to be heard from somewhere, and the rose-colored flowers of Kawazu-zakura have come into full bloom as if to heartily rejoice the pleasant breeze which has come back to this garden.

Gloomy ｗinter has changed to spring at last and the bright sunshine must surely return soon. The seasons keep spinning unceasingly and the eagerly-awaited season of regrowth and breeding has arrived unfailingly as the flowers tell me.