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Ryoanji Temple Kyoto Sun 19 Oct 03

Bad lighting and bad photographer (me) couldn't capture the entire view of the Tsukubai or the wash-basin stone which resembles a Chinese coin. This basin is for the tea room and has a unique inscription stating: 'I learn to be contended." He/she who learns only to be contended is spiritually rich, while the one who does not learn to be contended is spiritually poor even if he is materially wealthy. This concept is important in the Zen philosophy. The Tsukubai is said to have been contributed by Mitsukuni Tokugawa (1628-1700), a feudal lord and the compiler of the great History of Japan known as "Dai-nippon-shi."