Ryōan-ji (meaning the Temple of the Dragon at Peace) is a Zen temple located in Kyoto, Japan. The Ryōan-ji garden is considered one of the finest surviving examples of Japanese Zen temple garden design generally featuring distinctive larger rock formations arranged amidst a sweep of smooth pebbles arranged in immaculate linear patterns, designed to facilitate meditation. The temple and its gardens are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
My meditative video of Ryoan-Ji temple and gardens
I hope you find it soothing and the peacefulness of this place comes across here in the video…
The Zen Garden – Wabi Sabi
Ryōan-ji dry garden.The clay wall, which is stained by age with subtle brown and orange tones, reflects “wabi” and the rock garden “sabi”, together reflecting the Japanese worldview or aesthetic of “wabi-sabi”.
The garden is designed to be viewed from a seated position on the veranda of the hōjō, the residence of the abbot of the monastery.
The garden is a rectangle of 248 square meters. Inside of this are fifteen stones of different sizes. The stones are surrounded by white gravel, which is carefully raked each day by the monks. The only vegetation in the garden is some moss around the stones.
The stones are placed so that the entire composition cannot be seen at once from the veranda. They are also arranged so that when looking at the garden from any angle (other than from above) only fourteen of the boulders are visible at one time. It is traditionally said that only through attaining enlightenment would one be able to view the fifteenth boulder.
John Cage
The garden had particular significance for the composer John Cage, who composed a series avante-garde works that are inspired by the Zen garden.
Content Catnip 
What a beautiful sanctuary. Human design at its peak!
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Yeah definitely Kev it is the most peaceful place in the world I have ever been. I think you would love it. Was difficult to leave we were there in the late afternoon and were the last to leave.
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It’s noted Catnip, I would love every inch of the place …although I can’t imagine when global travel will open properly again.
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I reckon it will be as soon as a certain number of people have the vaccine we will all be able to travel again, it can’t happen too soon eh! I reckon you would love Japan, the food is out of this world, it’s a combo of crazy chaotic neon cities and tranquil places like this, it’s so cool. It’s first on our list for the Polish Bear and I once we are allowed anywhere again. Big hugs to you
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