Arashiyama

Our second and third nights in Kansai were spent at a temple in north-western Kyoto, in a big temple complex (a bunch of temples, all generally of the same Zen Buddhist school, in the same neighborhood). Our host temple was the Shunkoin-ji in the Myoshin-ji temple complex. It was a peaceful location of historical significance.


Some of the art in Shunkoin is actually Christian, which was quite interesting. They have an old Christian bell which was taken down from a church when Christianity was outlawed, and hidden for a few centuries. During WWII the bell was sought to be melted down for ammunition, but the Abbot of this monastery saved it by burying the bell in the garden. Pictured below is his grandson, the current vice-abbot (a really great guy educated in Texas).


These screens, painted in the 1600's, are the original and have not been retouched. Most interestingly, the artist who was commissioned to paint them was a secret Christian and painted certain covert symbols into the painting which would only be detectable to other secret Christians. For example, he painted certain flowers blooming on a screen depicting winter, symbolizing the birth of Jesus. Or three birds symbolizing the trinity. Or a lily (which blooms in summer) painted on the spring screen, symbolizing Mary. Fascinating!


After a tour of the monastery we had an hour-long instruction on Zen meditation. I think that all three of us have studied mediation in the past but it was a special treat to ask questions and 'sit' in an actual Zen temple. After the Zen class we were served 'matcha' green tea and crackers.


And several photos from the Miyoshin-ji Temple complex:


























































Myoshin-ji happened to be near the tourist-rich region of Arashiyama, which Nick and I explored one day.








































Adashino Nembutsu-ji stands on the site of an old graveyard where the destitute once abandoned the bodies of the dead, exposing them to the wind and rain. About 8,000 stone Buddhas statues honor the poor people of the Adashino area whose bodies were abandoned to the elements. The holy site is a great honor to the life and humanity of the souls who passed. May all those on the journey be enlightened.












On another day, the three of us traveled to Arashiyama for a boat ride down the Hozu River. Relaxing and beautiful! This area is *very famous* for views during the seasons of cherry blossoms and autumn maple colors.


Arashiyama is a popular tourist site, but spacious and full of good things to see, all pleasantly walkable.