I had the chance to visit a place that I find extraordinary.
It is the Saihoji also known as Kokedera or more commonly known as the moss temple.
It is located in the west of Kyoto.
I arrived there in autumn and I was able to enjoy the light of this season as well as the shimmering colors.
It is a place that invites to meditation, the monks plunge you in the atmosphere as soon as we arrive by inviting the visitors to participate in a Buddhist ceremony during which the monks recite a prayer. During this time, the visitors have to copy a sûtra in kanji.
A sutra is a writing of Buddha's teachings.
One should not be afraid of not mastering the Japanese language.
Afterwards, the monks distribute a small wooden slat called gomagi during the ceremony and the chanting.
On it, the visitors are invited to write a vow. The writing time does not exceed five minutes.
Once the vow is copied on the wooden slat, it is given to the monks who will burn it during a prayer, explaining that it is the smoke of this fire which will transmit the vows to the deities.
This ceremony allows us to immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of Koke-dera which is an invitation to meditation.
Some personal advice, be respectful of the place, silence is required.
Take your time and let the hurried visitors go before you.
Soak up the atmosphere.
Personally, I visited this place twice, each time I did two tours of this garden.
The first time to visit and take pictures and the second time when the most hurried and often noisy visitors have already left the place to soak up the atmosphere of the place.
This temple and especially its garden are really worth a visit, it is also listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
If you have the opportunity to go to Kyoto, you should not miss the opportunity to visit this garden.
Be careful, the visit is not free +/- 26.46 USD, and you have to book the visit in advance.
Here are two links that will give you all the necessary information.
http://saihoji-kokedera.com/en/about.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3937.html
I hesitated to show you all the pictures that are going to follow, there are maybe too many, but I told myself that those who don't like them, don't have to look at them.
To be continued.