Kyoto Ryoan-ji Temple

Catch an invisible world in the space between the rocks

Tomoko Kamishima Mar 13, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>The rocks maintain tension between one another</p>

<p>Besides the rock garden, Ryoan-ji Temple has a beautiful pond and two excursion gardens in the precinct</p>

<p>The mysterious rock and sand garden of Ryoan-ji Temple</p>

<p>Folding screen and lamp at the doorway of the temple building</p>

<p>A group of rocks on the moss-coated island</p>

<p>There are many rocks in many places in the precinct of Ryoan-ji Temple</p>

<p>Stone Buddha statue near the temple buildings</p>

<p>Huge numbers of people flock to Ryoan-ji Temple everyday</p>

<p>Moss-coated rock and bamboo fence on the way to the rock garden</p>

<p>Rooms in front of the rock garden</p>

<p>People were permitted to step out onto the garden in the old days</p>

<p>Miniature garden for the blind - they are encouraged to touch and feel it</p>

Since Queen Elizabeth II visited its rock garden and highly praised it in 1975, huge numbers of people have flocked to Ryoan-ji Temple everyday. Fifteen rocks are arranged into five groups on the moss-coated islands and they are scattered about in a rectangular white sand garden. We see plenty of space between them. And most parts of the rocks are buried deeply under the ground, so they look like they are floating on a sandy sea. You might see the world in this space. Or you might feel time piling up above the space. The rocks maintain tension between one another to create a perfect balance. The garden shows you something invisible. Very Zen.

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Things to Do in Kyoto

Tomoko Kamishima @tomoko.kamishima

Japan is a small island nation, but we have a huge number of surprising things to discover here. Many of these delights can be found when you step off the main street onto small side paths. I really enjoy studying about and researching various aspects of traditional Japanese culture, and then sha...