FROM THE GARDEN OF ZEN: March 2024

March 24, 2024

Ume (japanese apricot) flowers: Tokei-ji

The white flowers of Ume, which had bloomed nobly against the remaining severity of late winter, have begun to grow old and lose their brightness and fragrance gradually as spring deepens. Before long they will fade away quietly in capricious mild winds.

Flowers swiftly appear and disappear one after another as the seasons change. I am always amazed at how readily they go away without leaving any trace and attachment.

This gentle decisiveness of flowers repeatedly reminds me about the story of nature in which our birth, death and rebirth keep cycling constantly without end in silence.

Otome-tsubaki (Camellia japonica f. otome) flower: Kaizo-ji

In the peaceful garden in front of the small temple gate, under the hazy sky of mid-spring, I found a multi-petaled flower of Otome-tsubaki (maiden camellia) blooming in a silent manner as if to be hiding shyly in its branches and leaves.

The brightly-colored flower of Tsubaki has been admired by Japanese people since ancient times, because it blooms flamingly while enduring cold temperature and present us a blazing color in a pale winter garden.

It is also highly praised in the tradition of tea ceremony as the queen of winter flowers. It is the precious brilliant flower which is most frequently arranged in a dim tea room during the desolate season of winter.

Kawazu-zakura (Cerasus lannesiana 'Kawazu-zakura') flowers: Kawakita-kinenkan (Kamakura)

The fresh rosy colour of the Kawazu-zakura flower makes me notice that the residue of winter have completely disappeared and that the height of spring is now approaching here moment by moment doubtlessly.

This joyful season of regrowth is clearly advancing towards its climax, and the vital activities of all living things must be fully awakened from their long winter slumber.

Soon cherry blossoms will enter full bloom all at once all around in the blessed sunlight, proclaiming me the grand sight of this lively season.

Ume (japanese apricot) flowers: Tokei-ji

The trees of Ume live very long, usually between 100 and 200 years, with some having a life span of over 300 years. These pale pink flowers are blooming inconspicuously from the slender branch protruding from the mossy, rugged trunk of this age-old tree.

Soon these spring flowers will complete their own pollination job and will promptly decline and be scattered in the sudden wind.

Every flower blooms only for pollination and has a very short life. After its height of flowering period, it loses its freshness and fades away rapidly.

Flowers that are not pollinated will keep blooming longer than those that have performed their mission, but must also begin to age rapidly when the time comes. The cells that make up the petals are genetically pre-programmed for death according to the dharma of this cosmos.