Water in the Garden - Magic abounds
A Kyoto garden, Japan
In
Japan, the act of sanctifying with water is called ‘misogi’. This practice traces its origin to a Japanese
tale about a primordial god who cleansed himself of worldly ‘tarnishing’ with
water. The belief that water rids us of
the impurities of the earthly world is the basis for the low, stone water basins we see in
Japanese gardens.
It is also why they traditionally sprinkle water at the gate
of a home in the morning and evening.
The
Japanese are not alone in their tradition of using water to bless people and
places. Many great religions value ‘sanctified’ water. Catholicism sees water
that has been blessed as a symbol of God’s grace and as a “wellspring of all
holiness...”
Thai Buddhists make ‘lustral’ water and believe that they will be
blessed if they drink it or have it sprinkled on their head. At their new year, the Thai people scent bowls of water with flower petals, and sprinkle these sacred waters to cool, cleanse and bless. Indian Sikhs
prepare ‘amrit’, or holy water, for use in their baptismal ceremonies. And
Muslims make a pilgrimage to the well of Zam Zam in Mecca for its holy water.
Water is indeed magical....include it in any garden you make!
Voltaire, one of my favourite philosopher, once said, in his famous metaphorical novel 'Candide' that we must tend to our garden because labour preserves us from three great evils: weariness, vice, and want. He forgot, however, to mention that it is also the ultimate therapy since nothing is wasted if it is well done. Japanese gardens are indeed beautiful - and so are your posted pictures.
ReplyDeleteSisyphus uphill - how beautifully said!....and that image of pushing the boulder up the hill that I conjure up just writing your name is intense indeed.
ReplyDeleteLuxury bags cheap sale
ReplyDelete