Gardens in three famous temples in Kyoto --- What cuauses their sharp contrast ?

MOST tourists who visit Kyoto would come and see "Kinkaku-ji" temple, which is famous for the golden pavilion standing beside a pond with evergreen pine trees.


Picture 1  The golden pavilion at Kingakuji temple in Kyoto

The garden is a represetational one that describes the Buddhist pureland or heaven that is believed to exist in the land far west from Japan. The brightness of the golden pavilion atracted people, showing as if the pureland were like this.

MANY of them,  having about 10-minute drive from the golden temple, would find another well-known temple called "Ryoan-ji" temple, which is characterized by a " rock garden " consisting of several rocks, white gravel, and a bit of moss, but not including any water, trees, and architecture inside.

Picture 2   Rock garden at Ryoanji temple in Kyoto

Some must wonder what caused the sharp contrast between the gardens although they are both Buddhist temples.  The origin of Ginkaku-ji temple dates back to the late 14th century, and Ryoan-ji temple came up around 100 years after the golden pavilion was built. So we had a big change in religious and social culture at that time.

In-between the century, there was built a temple called "Ginkau-ji" temple which has a famous t-storied house called "silver pavilion" with sand garden called "Gessyo-dai" or moon viewing platform.

Picture 3  moon viewing platform at Ginkakuji temple in Kyoto

You may see the answers in a chronological consideration.

Plus, with an understanding that gardens in temples are essential for monks to make philosophical practices in Buddhism,
you would find the answers in the process how monks tried to attain enlightenment.  

A Japanese garden in Tokyo --- Shogun and his favarite feudal lord enjoyed it in the 18th century.

Just in the center of Tokyo, you'll find a Japanese garden, where you feel more and more calm and relaxed as you walk around.  This garden, called "Rikugien garden", is a good example of a "stroll garden" that Shogun and feudal lords enjoyed the miniature of nature in the 18th century.
Now people also love to visit the garden, looking for the place where they can keep a peaceful mind.  This is located close to Komagome station of Yamanote line of Japan Railway East (JR east).

Following pictures are showing its beauty in autumn, but the garden  reveals various seasonal aspects of nature it has enbraced for more than centuries.

<entrance with colored maple leaves>


<main pond, rock island, stone lantern, and shore>


<pine trees leaning over the pond>


<view from the top of garden>