The Golden Pavillion is a three-story building on the grounds of the temple. The top two stories of the pavilion are covered with pure gold leaf because it functions as a shariden - housing the relics of the Buddha. The pavilion is set in a magnificent Japanese strolling garden (kaiyū-shiki)and there's a beautiful pond in front of it called Kyōko-chi (Mirror Pond). It is said that the many islands and stones on the pond represent the Buddhist creation story.
The pavilion was burned down by a monk in 1950, who then attempted suicide on the hill behind the building. He survived but during the investigation his mother was called in to talk to the police. Strangely, on her way home, she committed suicide by jumping from her train into a river valley. The monk was sentenced to seven years in prison and eventually died of illness in 1956. The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, a book written by Yukio Mishima's (in 1956) recreates the story behind these events.
book stall within the temple grounds
Here you have to throw a coin into the offering box, bow deeply twice, clap your hands twice, bow deeply once more and pray for a few seconds. If the coin lands into the bowl in the center, your prayer is granted!
Purification fountain. You're supposed to take one of the ladles provided, fill it with fresh water and rinse both your hands and transfer the water into your cupped hand, rinse your mouth and spit the water beside the fountain. This is a ritual we didn't know then so we skipped it. Haha!
Next: Ryoan-ji Temple, famous for its Zen garden
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