Daitokuji

大徳寺

2012

Daitokuji is a Rinzai Zen temple in northern Kyōto that is surround by a passel of semi-autonomous sub-temples under its administration in a sprawling compound. It was founded in 1315 and rebuilt in the mid-1400s  after being destroyed by fire. The printmaker's studio where I'm staying is a block away from the norther perimeter of Daitokuji, so I often walk  through it's paths going here to there.

Gate of the main temple

  Kyōto is is a Rinzai Zen town, meaning this sect of Zen Buddhism is dominant compared to the rival Sōto Zen sect. The two are pretty much the same in terms of their teaching, but they have separate lineages from ancient Zen masters in China. Rinzai monks claim their meditation practice is more rigorous.   

He bowed as he Hustled to the Main Temple

One common interpretation is that Rinzai priests like to attain enlightenment in a flash while Sōto priests take their time.  Who knows? Sōto Zen has by far the most temples and congregations throughout Japan and it's more common in America and in particular California. 

A Pathway

A Sub-temple