Once we left Tsurugaoka Hachimanguu, we meandered through the tranquil residential streets (and some pretty wooded areas) of Kamakura, winding our way towards the Rinzai Zen temple Houkokuji, famous for its bamboo grove garden.
Hokoukuji was the family temple of both the Ashikaga and Uesugi families. It is an absolutely gorgeous temple tucked away in the hillside; the gardens are beautiful, and bamboo is included everywhere in the temple's structure.
The main object of worship is a statue of Shaka Nyorai. The statue in the garden here is of the Miroku Bosatsu or Miroku Nyorai, Buddha of the future, or the Pensive Buddha--easily identified by the seated pose, hand pensively touching the chin and one leg draped across the other.
The Pensive Buddha is actually still a Bodhisattva, but will become a Buddha one day. (Bodhisattvas are beings who have obtained enlightenment, but renounce the state of Nirvana in order to stay behind and help others, all living things, to enlightenment and salvation.)
A small cemetery in the temple
I didn't actually make it into the bamboo grove, sadly: I got in line to get my nokyo-chou stamped, and after the fact, realized our group was in line for the entrance fee, but by the time my nokyo-chou was signed, the line to enter was really long...and we were short on time...
But there were a few smaller, undoubtedly less impressive groves in the front gardens
and this is what the grove is supposed to look like...poor substitute, I'm sure...
In addition to seeing the bamboo grove, you can also order tea and sit under the parasols, simply enjoying the tranquil atmosphere. Houkokuji is also a fairly active temple, and offers beginning zazen classes.
Bamboo. Everywhere.
I see faces. I'm sure this one was deliberate...but it looks an awful lot like a Carnaval mask...very smooth and elegant.Oftentimes you see Oni faces on the roofs of temples
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