#zen temple

[anime-to-the-t]

[4eternal-life]

Werner Bischof  /Swiss, 1916–1954

A Priest rests at the Temple of Ryoanji Kyoto, 1951

Bischof befriended the photographer Ihei Kimura, who introduced him to the mysteries of Japanese culture. Together they visited temples and shrines and studied traditional Japanese art

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2021/soul-of-japan

[shodo-sai]

[triflingthing]

Kyoto gallery

[wanderlustfuldays]

Nanzenji Kyoto, Japan

[eduseyes]

妙心寺 退蔵院 Taizō-in Temple

2023.09.14

[crazyfox-archives]

The sacred grounds of Eiheiji Temple (永平寺) in Eiheiji Town, Fukui Prefecture

Photo by 小野悦史 [Ono Etsushi] in 2021

[anime-to-the-t]

[forgotten-bharat]

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Largest religious monuments, built by khmer kings more than a thousand years ago. It is a complex of both Hindu and Buddhist past.

[viewsoftyria]

Views of Tyria - Seitung Province - Zen daijun temple bridge

[kyotodreamtrips]

The entrance to the Shūon-an Ikkyū-ji Temple in Kyotanabe, Japan. We must wait a little longer to have a sea of crimson leaves.

[thesaurushouseofdesign]

Katsura Rikyū (Katsura Imperial Villa), Kyoto, Japan,

Built in the 17th Century for Prince Hachijō Toshihito

[ungatonipon]

Nanzen-ji (南禅寺) Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, evening walk in Japan · 4K ASMR

[boyjumps]

“No merit. When you expect something in return, any action becomes a hardship. Zen rejects merit.” - Zen teachings

Bodhidharma (5th-6th century: date of birth and death unknown) was a Buddhist monk who, though born the third prince of the king of India, went to China and was the first to introduce Zen.

Legend has it that Master Bodhidharma's limbs rotted away after nine years of zazen (sitting zen meditation) against a wall. It is a myth. Zazen is not about sitting all the time. Monks walk in certain areas to prevent drowsiness and for exercise, known as kinhin (meditation performed while walking). So they can never lose their limbs.

When Bodhidharma first arrived in China, he met Emperor Wu of Liang (464-549). Emperor Wu asked him, “Since thee entered the service, thee have built many temples, copied sutra scrolls and ordained monks and nuns, what merit do these deeds have?” To which he replied, “No merit (There is no such thing as merit).” The Wu Emperor hurriedly asked another question, “Then what is the Supreme First Truth?” “Open, empty and unremarkable,” said Bodhidharma. “Then I ask thee, who is against thee?” “No idea,” Bodhidharma replied, gave up on the Wu Emperor and left, entering the Shaolin Monastery in the Northern Wei Kingdom. He then spent nine years in zazen (sitting zen meditation) at the Shaolin temple.

By the way, why did Bodhidharma say those his deeds had great merit were 'no merit'? Simply put, because Zen abhors merit.

Bodhidharma is saying “You should enjoy the act of doing whatever you do. Why are you thinking so foolishly? Don't worry about merit, just enjoy your work.”

In any case, acts done with a sense of merit are impure. For example, even when being kind to others, do it while enjoying the act of kindness and appreciating the other person. It is not the person who is being kind that should be grateful, but the person who has done the kindness.

Disappointed by Emperor Wu of Liang, who did not understand this, Bodhidharma entered the Shaolin Temple, where he spent nine years in zazen against the wall.

[heavensdoorways]

Genkō-an, Kyoto, Japan

Lori Takano Photography

[srisrisriddd]

Happy 2586th Buddha Purnima

Nothing Nobody Nowhere Can Free You If It Can It Can Enslave You Too To What Avail Is Such Freedom Be Your Own Light

Buddha Jayanti Good Morning

Happy Buddha's Birthday Vesākha

Seokga Tansinil

Quote / Poem / Poetry / Quotes Of

Bhagwan Sri Sri Sri Dr Devang H Dattani

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