I’ve always kind of felt that moss is special and was interested to learn that some believe that moss is sacred. I’ve been admiring some moss growing on what I think was used as a makeshift birdbath long ago.
Ironically enough, I happen to be reading Cultivating Sacred Space by Elizabeth Murray. Her book is organized by seasons and I’d flipped to the section on Summer. This chapter covers twelve gardens, ones that have really spoken to her.
The thing that is ironic: the first garden covered in this chapter, Kokedera Temple in Kyoto, Japan, is centered around moss! The garden was begun in the mid-1300s by a wandering Zen priest named Muso Soseki. Ms. Murray says that “the real soul of this garden seemed to arrive with the coming of the moss.” The monks who maintain the garden have lavished attention and respect on the moss all these years (centuries!) and it is considered to be an essential part of their meditation.
The number of visitors allowed to see the sacred moss gardens is limited. And what’s more, they must all participate in a group meditation before entering. This is an elaborate, but necessary, ritual that must be done to ensure the safety and respectful treatment of the gardens. Following this, visitors enter and are awestruck with what they find. It feels as if they’ve entered a “new world of tranquility and softness.”
The author says that this was her favorite garden in Japan, because of its closeness to and respect for nature. This got me really thinking about moss and I had to go back outside and take a closer look at “my” moss.
From Wikipedia: Mosses are small flowerless plants that typically grow in dense green clumps or mats, often in damp or shady locations.
Did you know that moss is considered highly desirable in the garden for many folks and you can even purchase it? I think I vaguely knew this, and a quick search showed that there are many suppliers of this plant! One of these days I am going to start a fairy garden and I envision that moss will play a star role, next to the fairies, that is…
I’ve got moss on the mind (doesn’t sound too good, does it?!). What are you thinking about today?
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