Another day of serenity Kyoto style!

Today was another of those silent days where I didn't speak with anyone unless I was saying Ohayo gozaimasu (good morning) or Konichiwa (hello) or Arigatou gozaimasu (thank you). It was lovely. I do like hanging out with people but I admit, the older I get, the more I like being by myself and silence.

I spent the morning doing laundry and organizing myself a bit before heading out on one of those 27 stop buses to visit one of Kyoto's most iconic temples - The Golden Pavilion aka Kinkaku-ji.  Prepare yourselves...I took a bunch of photos because, well, you'll see. My goal is for you to feel as peaceful and relaxed as I did after my visits to Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji.

 This is a pretty amazing photo, if I do say so myself.

This temple was originally the retirement villa of a Shogun and it became a Zen temple after his death in 1408. Now it is a Buddhist hall containing relics of Buddha. The garden and buildings were said to be the pure land of Buddha in this world.

The first floor (white part) was build in the classic Shinden style used for palace buildings and historical Buddha statues are housed on that level. The second floor was built in a style commonly used by samurai at that time and completely covered in gold leaf. The top floor was build in the style of a Chinese Zen Hall and is covered in gold leaf both inside and out and is capped with a golden phoenix.

 Just in case you don't believe I'm really here. 

 It's even more impressive and awe-inspiring in person!

Along the path back to the entrance, there was a statue where people throw coins for good luck. I threw some 1 yen coins and got one in the white hole but not into the cup. I'm thinking I'm already pretty lucky so a little more is just right.

I left the Pavilion and walked a little over a mile to Ryoan-ji Temple. It was originally a country home of a clan leader and became a Zen training temple in 1450. It was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt in 1499. What brought me to this temple are the remarkable gardens, especially the famous rock garden. Everything was vivid green and so tranquil and serene. It was relatively quiet and not crowded because of the rain so, as you can see, I got to enjoy much of the walk by myself.

I believe I have mentioned the multitude of stairs I take each and every day. Sigh!

You walk into this beautiful wooden building, take your shoes off and walk along gleaming wood floors to get to the Zen garden.

I sat on the platform along the edge for a really long time.

This is a tsukubai, a stone wash-basin for the tea room. The inscription says "I learn only to be contented." He who learns only to be contended is spiritually rich, while the one who does not learn to be contended is spiritually poor even if he is materially wealthy. This concept is important in the Zen spirit.

Come take a walk with me through this sea of green. Hear the water gurgling in the stream and the light raindrops rustling the leaves. Listen to the birds chirping, smell the lushness of the earth and breath in deeply.

When you realize nothing is lacking, the whole world belongs to you.