Poetry Stones #1–3

Nine stone monuments along the approach to Eiheiji Temple carry 31-syllable poems composed by Dogen, founder of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism in Japan in the 13th century. The first three stones are spaced along the road from the parking lot to the temple gate, each paired with an explanation of how the verse connects daily observation to Buddhist practice. A duck gliding without ripples, moonlight in still water, a white heron disappearing into snow: Dogen's imagery turns ordinary scenes into teaching moments. The final six stones continue along the same path toward the temple entrance.