- Address: 13 Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8001, Japan
- Phone: +81 75-463-2216
- Opening: 1450
- Architectural style: Japanese Buddhist architecture
It is difficult to imagine an Asian country without temples and pagodas. Japan in this regard will not be an exception. Any more or less large city here has a religious landmark , or even one that attracts the attention not only of pilgrims, but also of tourists. In Kyoto , there is a unique object, which is even included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - the temple of Reanji.
What is interesting about the structure?
The Reanji Temple in Kyoto was erected in the distant 1450 on the initiative of Hosokawa Katsumoto. Initially, there was an estate of the Fujiwara family. Unfortunately, the original type of building is not kept to the present due to frequent fires. But on the territory of the temple you can see "The Seven Imperial Graves", which for a long time were in desolation, but then were restored thanks to the Emperor Meiji.
Approximately from the XVIII century interest in the temple began to fade, to be reborn in the twentieth century. And the reason for this was the unique stone garden located on the territory of Reanji, which to this day attracts crowds of both the Japanese and the guests of the country.
Its author is the famous master Soami, who created his work on all the canons of Zen Buddhism. The garden of stones is a rectangular area, which is surrounded on three sides by an adobe fence. Its space is filled with gravel, on which 15 stones of different shapes and sizes are located at different corners of the perimeter. The cover itself is carefully "painted" with rakes, creating a feeling of softness and smoothness.
Another interesting object on the territory of the temple complex is a stone vessel, which is constantly filled with water for ablution. On its surface there are 4 hieroglyphs, which at first glance are absolutely unrelated. But if a square is added to the general picture, in the form of which a deepening in the vessel is made, then the meaning of the written word becomes sharply: "What we have is what we need." Apparently, this inscription emphasizes the anti-materialist doctrine of Zen Buddhism. It is also interesting that recently a scoop appeared at the vessel, so that those who wished could get water for bathing. Previously, it was not: the person who wanted to wash had to bend low, thus giving respect and expressing a request.
The entrance to the temple is paid. The ticket price for an adult is about $ 5.
How to get to Reanji Temple in Kyoto?
To get to the temple, you can go to the area by bus number 59 or city train to the station Ryoanji Station.