A nap at Tofuku-ji

I walk barefoot around the covered wooden porch ledges at the Tofuku-ji temple.  The worn planks are soft and warm on my feet.  Gardens surround the four sides of the temple.  It is mid-afternoon.

The front temple garden is a rock garden of large stones, with more than that of Ryoan-ji.  Concentric circle patterns have been carefully raked into the white rough sands around the various rocks giving the impression of the sea surrounding magnificent mountains - and also reminds me of rain drops.  It interests me and I sit down to be.  Noise from other visitors becomes a distraction so I leave to move to the other side of the temple in a clock-wise fashion.

The garden here is more geometric with sheared shrubs and sand creating a grid - but still, it feels very soft and stilling.  I admire it, contemplate it - but do not stop to stare or become entranced.  

The garden on the back of the temple is curious to view.  I feel comfortable here and could study the patterns created by stone and moss for hours.  But after taking several photographs, I keep moving through the covered porch.

I come to the fourth area - the fourth side of the structure.  It's so simply made - almost like it wasn't designed at all, but just became.  It has a different feel and look from the other three gardens of the temple.  It's almost peasant-like it's so simple.  The wooden floors span out into the garden on this side without any railing.  With the generous overhang of the roof high above, this space feels open and of comfort, like the garden wants to sing me a lullaby.  It invites me to sit and stay awhile.  I do so and rest against a large wooden pillar.  But sitting with legs stretched, gazing out into the garden doesn't last long.  I am soon resting with my back on the wooden porch staring up at the intricate woodwork above.  Eyes close.  I let the garden sift me to sleep.

*****

I nap randomly and in random places when I travel - or when I am out and about.  A bench, a grassy slope, a large rock.  It's something I started doing quite a while ago - and it's been a constant since then.  It actually has become a highlight and a strong memory of my travels and adventures.  When I am asleep in a space I become a part of that space - and it becomes a part of me.  It changes me.  As I lie in sub-consciousness I become aware of everything and nothing at the same time.  It's really quite remarkable and exhilarating.  A calmness overcomes me, quiets me in meditative tones.  The history and the culture that hangs in the air passes through me, leaving traces in my being.  Experiences from times past seeps up from the ground and into my body as we meld together.  I am becoming a part of the space, and it a part of me.  A bench in a Rio Palace park, a piece of driftwood on Cannon Beach, a Temple porch in Kyoto....

When I awake, I wake a new being as having passed from life to death, to life again.  But as I rise renewed, I leave with a feeling of that space and moment intertwined into my soul.  Today that happened.  Today I napped at Tofuku-ji Temple and it changed me.  It will always be a part of me.

****

We are back in the Kameoka countryside.  The frogs must be having as good a meal as we did tonight!  They are happy and loud.  A breeze is passing through this second story room.  Looking out - many of the rice fields were flood irrigated today - creating a valley of mirrors for the sky above to be reflected in.  It fills the satoyama with a soft light as the sun prepares to set.  Ah!  Maybe it's all the water that is encouraging all of the giddy frogs.

We also experienced Byodoin today - it was incredible and I was in awe!  Everything here is simply amazing and my mind is busting!  I am learning so much!  Sometimes I get teary-eyed as I see and feel what I am surrounded by and by what I am being taught just by being here.  Spaces speak - and if you let them - they will teach.  I am surprised by how I feel so at home here - I didn't expect it.  Some of the gardens seem so familiar.