The stone garden at Ryoanji in Kyoto was built as a place of contemplation. It is said that you will only see all fifteen stones when you have achieved enlightenment.

With the hustle and bustle of the modern world, achieving enlightenment may be easier said than done. How often do we have time to sit and contemplate free of distractions?

It seems more likely that this garden is not for us at all. What we are viewing is the byproduct of someone else’s meditation.