Japanese Gardens and Lilacs in Bloom ~ Descanso Gardens part II

OK, so back to Descanso Gardens! One of the most beautiful spots at Descanso, is the Japanese Garden. Especially at the first blush of spring!

from the Descanso Gardens website:

"Discover the tranquility of a Japanese-style garden that blends design elements of classic tea, strolling and zen gardens.

Cross an arched bridge and stroll on shaded paths along a koi-filled stream to the Full Moon Tea House, designed by Whitney Smith and built in 1966. The blue tile roofing, imported from Japan, is especially striking in the spring when nearby pink cherry and plum trees are in bloom. The tea house is open limited hours during the summer as the Camellia Lounge and for special occasions during the year.

Nearby, the minka (traditional farmhouse) was designed and donated by Robert H. Kawashima in 1969. The plant collection features Japanese maples, azaleas, bamboo, and other Asian plants."

And here's a bit of music, from YouTube, for the visit! 

Look at the stream

there are rocks in its way.

Does it slam into them

out of frustration?

It simply flows over and around them

and moves on!

Be like the water

and you will know what harmony is.

~Zen Story

Move

and the way

will

open.

~Zen Proverb

You cannot travel the path
until you have become the path itself.
~ Buddha

Three things cannot be long hidden:

the sun,

the moon,

and the truth.

~ Buddha

We cannot see our reflection in running water.

It is only in still water that we can see.

~unknown author

Lilac Garden

Walk slowly and breathe deeply. The scent, I imagine, is what heaven must smell like. 

It's nearly overwhelming … and so beautiful.

Life can be found only in the present moment.

The past is gone,

the future is not yet here,

and if we do not go back to ourselves

in the present moment,

we cannot be in touch with life.

~Thich Nhat Hanh

In the end, only three things matter:

how much you loved,

how gently you lived, 

and how gracefully you let go

of things not meant for you.

~Buddha

To find out more about the various gardens and check out their website, click here.

Believe it or not, there is one more Descanso post to come! (At least, but I will try to edit, because the following Monday I spent the afternoon at the Los Angeles Arboretum, and I just helped throw a party in Ojai!)

Hope you have all been able to enjoy some blooms!

Blessings and light!

Japanese Gardens at the Huntington

There is something so serene and lovely about a japanese garden. If you are going to meditate, this is the place to do it. And who doesn't love a arched Japanese bridge? (Just look at Monet!) I didn't get any shots of the fish in this garden but there were plenty of orange and gold koi in the ponds.

Enjoy!

Without any intentional fancy way of adjusting yourself,

to express yourself as you are,

is the most important thing.

Shunryu Suzuki

All that we are is the result of what we have thought.

The mind is everything.

What we think

we become.

~Buddha

The world is like a mirror you see?

Smile and your friends smile back.

~Japanese Zen Saying

Student says "I am very discouraged. What should I do?"

Master says, "Encourage others."

~Zen Proverb

My sister Penny and Benjamin (my nephew) enjoying the beautiful, shaded pathways ...

The fundamental delusion of humanity 

is to suppose that I am here 

and you

are out there.

~Yasutani Roshi

Do not speak 

unless it improves on silence.

~Buddhist Saying

Penny and Ben picked up camellias that had fallen from the trees ...

so sweet, his little hand next to hers.

The quieter you become, 

the more you can hear.

~Yatsutani Roshi

Blessings and light for a beautiful week!

~And still more of the gardens to come!

For more about the Japanese garden at the Huntington click HERE