kyoto, japan - ryoanji temple

ryoanji is a zen temple.  the following is from the brochure i got - originally a country house of the tokudaiji clan, it was acquired in 1450 by hosokawa katsumoto for use as a zen training temple.  it was destroyed by fire during the onin war and was rebuilt in 1499.  it was resgistered as a world heritage site in 1994.

kyoyochi pond - made in the late twelfh century

steps leading to temple

minature replica of the rock garden

rectangular zen garden - only 15 rocks and white gravel are used in the garden.  reason they chose number 15 is because every 15 days has a full moon.