Genkoan Temple, Kyoto: The Shape of the Heart Reflected in the Windows of Enlightenment and the Windows of Confusion
Genkoan Temple, Kyoto | The state of mind reflected in the windows of enlightenment and confusion
"Do you think life is round? Notice, it's square?"
At Genkoan, a Zen temple located in Takagamine, Kyoto, there is a window that asks this question.
These are the windows of enlightenment and confusion - a place where you can face your heart in silence.
Window of Enlightenment | The circle is a symbol of the universe and harmony
The round window opposite the main hall is called the "Window of Enlightenment."
In Zen, the circle symbolizes **entsu**, which represents the harmony and infinite scope of the universe.
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The autumn leaves reflected in the round window look like the outline of time.
The past and future seemed to melt into this present moment.
Window of Confusion | Horns are symbols of birth, aging, sickness, and death
The square window on the right is the "Window of Confusion."
The horns symbolize the four sufferings of life – birth, old age, sickness and death – and I ponder worries and conflicts that seem foreign to me.
The view of the garden from this window is somewhat sharp, yet undoubtedly beautiful.
The view reflected in the square window is straight and a little painful.
But that pain may be proof that you're alive.
Blood Ceiling | Traces of Unspoken Prayer
There is another place in Genko-an that speaks to you quietly.
is "Blood Ceiling".
The bloodstains of the samurai who lost their lives in the Battle of Fushimi Castle are still visible on the ceiling panels.
The traces are not just history, but live in the space as a form of prayer.
With the seasons, our hearts change color
In autumn, autumn leaves decorate the windows, and in spring, fresh green leaves soothe the soul.
Genkoan is not just a tourist spot.
A place to quietly face your heart
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