Myoshinji Candle Gardens

               

       A narrow path led up to the temple. Merry lights

bounced off the trees, and I was greeted by the sound

of violins and a stray banjo bringing the warm autumn

night to life with a lively Irish jig. Eager to join the festivities,

I made my way across the garden to the inner temple gates.

Five young temple workers hopped off  beautifully woven

tatami mats at my approach. With the usual bows of greeting,

they informed me that I had in fact just entered a private

lodging and was about to crash their equally private party.

Armed with a map and breathless from endless fits of hysterical

giggling, I finally arrived at the candle lit gardens of Torin'in.

Just sitting there by those gardens, watching candles flicker in the
wind, my worries melted like hot wax. Tap, tap, the sound of monks
tapping their bamboo hammers echoed as soothing as a heartbeat.
Softly, the evening slipped into night.