I could imagine a halo silently humming and hanging over his top knot bun hairstyle; his aura was so great. Of course, that was all perspective. I have read books about his teachings and have tried some of his lifestyle suggestions. Being part of this modern world where attachment and material possessions are ingrained into our minds before we can understand or even question our existence can certainly make embracing the teachings of Buddha quite difficult. It all makes sense but again, emotional natures over logical ones creates a barrier that is hard to cross over in order to achieve the enlightenment that Buddha and many others after him have spoken about.

After capturing some photos of his back side against the perfect blue of the sky, I made my way around to the front and looked down. What!! My jaw dropped open a little as I saw a pond nestled among the host of trees and bushes. It was quite unexpected as there had been no visible sign of it from when we had walked in and then up and around. It seemed like one of oasis in the desert type of situations; desperate for something, it suddenly appears before you - seemingly real but just a figment of your imagination. It did exist however. My brain was just having a hard time computing how it had been so well-hidden and about the landscaper’s aim when they had designed the layout of the garden. If I mind map the garden from when we had entered up to that point, I could imagine that the pond was actually situated behind the temple that I had been reluctant to enter. That was the only reasonable explanation as to why we had not spotted it from the entrance or later ln while walking up the paths.

We stood for a while in that spot and from our vantage point took in the stupendous view of Tokyo beyond the fringes of the shrine area. The contrast between the pulsing, nature filled park and the cold brick and stone of the city never ceases to amaze me. The juxtaposition was not intentional I think - let us put down this city next to this shrine - I feel like there was a history and struggle that left the shrine standing while Tokyo grew up around it. In Tokyo and other cities, you will find a lot of this though.

Date posted :

2022.03.25

Poster :

Hair Monster