Nice shaft of sunlight on the Philosopher’s Walk, a meditative stroll in Kyoto. This is named for a prominent philosopher from Kyoto University, near here, who used to walk this each day, in a meditative way. Any person who thinks him or herself a philosopher, had also better be one who makes time for meditation. Otherwise, well, just a mere academic.
The Philosopher’s Walk is a nice, leisurely stoll along the Lake Biwa canal, which brings water from Lake Biwa into Kyoto. Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan, lying just northeast of the city.
Another short walk from here is Nanzen-ji, a Rinzai zen temple. I describe the Rinzai lineage as being a close cousin of the Soto lineage, my practice tradition. There are differences that are significant but not important. What I have discovered, being in Kyoto, is that this is a Rinzai town. Almost all the significant zen temples are affiliated with the Rinzai tradition, including Kennin-ji, whose gardens are wonderful and included in another of my posts.
Nanzen-ji also has beautiful dry gardens.
This one is lovely, like a pebble dropped into still water, ripples spreading in perfect circles.
The combined effect of raked gravel, leaning Japanese maple, low wall, and shadow have an evocative effect. I almost didn’t see this when first, I “saw it.”
Autumn In Japan 