I’m writing this early morning on Thursday, April 22nd – Earth Day.
An international conference is taking place today with many countries present to address the
imminent threat of global warming. Let us wish them well. Cutting fossil fuel 50% by 2030 is an
ominous but achievable goal.
Earth Day for me always invokes a spirit of renewal.
The renowned fourteenth-century Zen Master Muso Soseki is largely credited with the
development of Japanese Zen Gardens, most notably the legendary gardens of Kyoto and
Nara.
While western gardens are more apt to be cultivated and ordered in structure, Japanese
gardens are layered by the passage of time. Moreover, as seasons change and with that
change a garden often takes on a distinctly different character. Symphony orchestras often
produce a similar layered effect.
Muso once wrote, “there are those who see clearly their own original nature in mountains,
rivers, grasses, rocks, and trees. This respect and love for nature is itself an aspiration to attain
oneness with the Way. The changing landscape of the four seasons when appreciated without
favor of one season over another exemplifies a mind free from like and dislike, picking and
choosing.”
The role of change that takes place in a garden is of particular importance in Buddhism. Koi
ponds, moss, vertical stones, and sand were all integral to Muso’s garden design. Each element
in it’s own way visually implied the passage of time. In addition to being a respected Zen Maste
and who many consider a genius garden designer, Muso was also a prolific and renowned poet.
One of my favorite poems that he wrote is perfect for Earth Day.
I’ll close this week’s blog by quoting it:
The sounds of the stream
splash out
the Buddha’s sermon
Don’t say
that the deepest meaning
comes only from one’s mouth
Day and night
eighty thousand poems
arise one after the other
and in fact
not a single word
has ever been spoken