After applying in advance, I was finally able to pay a visit to the moss temple Saiho-ji. Autumn and yellow leaves shining on bright green moss washed by light rain. I was able to quietly and silently face myself in the main temple hall and do sutra chanting. I enjoyed the autumn in Kyoto.
The number of visiters are controlled by advance reservation system
The number of visiters are controlled by advance reservation system.Reservations can be made by postcard or online.
We were able to get a reservation about a week in advance for November 23, Labor Day, starting at 11:00. There was some availability for this weekend. This time there were three of us, so it was a little complicated to make two reservations for two people plus one. Still, we were able to make the reservation smoothly.
Acceptance & Introductory
At the reception desk at the gate of Saiho-ji Temple, I showed them my e-mail with the reservation number and was able to smoothly enter the temple. I was given a pamphlet and a brush pen. I was given a pamphlet and a brush pen, and was told that I was supposed to do sutra chanting with it.
Beyond the open gate, magnificent autumn leaves are already peeking through. The main hall is on the left. The autumn leaves washed by the rain around the pond in front of the hall are magnificent.
Autumn leaves seen from the corridor of the main hall
Entering the main hall. Autumn, separated from the hallway by eaves and pillars, is also tasteful. The contrast between the white and brown of the building and the autumn leaves is delightful.
Sutra handwriting
The resolute monk who is guiding you gives you a half-sheet of paper with a thinly drafted letter, and you sit upright on the tatami mats and face the desk. I sit on the tatami mats and go to the desk. When your mind has quieted down, you pick up the brush and face the characters of “Enmei Jukku Kannon Kyou”.
No one speaks out. I trace the letters with my brush, without thinking. Little by little, the meaning of the words begins to unravel. After the sutra is finished, the half-sheet of paper is presented to the Amida Buddha, the principal image of the temple.
Photography is not allowed during sutra chanting.
Walking in the garden
The autumn leaves seen from the pavilion on the way to the garden can also be enjoyed.
Garden with moss and autumn leaves
Bright moss spreading across the garden. Vivid autumn and yellow leaves. It is very hard to put into words.
Go around the garden further while enjoying the autumn leaves.
Five Seasons and Revisiting
The number of visitors is neither too many nor too few, so you can enjoy the autumn leaves quietly. Especially, there were not many people in the garden around Koganeike Pond. I enjoyed the autumn in Kyoto.
The guide in the main hall introduced photos as “The Five Seasons of Saiho-ji Temple”. What? When I checked it out, I found that there were five seasons in the temple.
- Spring
- rainy season
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
This is the garden that the temple has been protecting. Saiho-ji in fresh green, Saiho-ji in snow, Saiho-ji in rain… I would like to visit Saiho-ji in all seasons. I would like to visit Saiho-ji in all seasons.
The autumn colors of Kyoto are exceptional
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