The scene in
the Saiho-ji garden viewed from a different location.
There's actually a story behind the visit. Some of you may know that it is not easy
for a foreigner to visit Saiho-ji. It only hosts one visit a day, and requires advance reservation that can be made two months before the visit, and only by (snail) mail. The confirmation is also sent by (snail) mail using return label. Admission costs JPY 3,000. Thankfully my hotel was willing to receive the confirmation on my behalf and relayed the appointment slot details to me.
I looked like the only non-Japanese visiting that day. After arriving at the temple we were ushered into the prayer hall to recite Buddhist chants. We were also supplied paper and brush to copy the Heart Sutra. However, it seemed that everyone just wrote their wishes on the paper and have them placed on the altar, which I found out was common practice. I signaled (by hand gesture) that I would like to copy the entire Sutra, some 260 words; and was let to do so. It took a good 45 minutes or more, and most of the visitors had left for the garden 20 minutes into my copying.
So I continued to enjoy the meditative experience of copying the Sutra in complete silence, accompanied by the fragrance of burning incense. After I completed the copying, I handed over the copy to the monk. He seemed impressed that I was able to write the words instead of trace it (which most people, even Japanese, seemed to attempt for a few words); I was educated in the Chinese language for 12 years and practiced calligraphy. Then we proceeded to a 'one-on-one' prayer session.
By this time I realised that all the visitors had been shepherded off the garden and it was closed. I felt somewhat resigned but the monk opened up the garden for me and signalled (by hand) that I can spend as much time as I want in the garden. Of course I was quietly ecstatic but nonetheless proceeded respectfully to visit the garden, spending a good two hours inside and having it all to myself.
It has been a profound experience and I would like to visit the temple again (when situation allows).
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