WAITING BENCH
Approach the Waiting Bench Chamber.
Here you begin your journey to enlightenment. Tea ceremony guests traditionally sit upon the bench to release worldly cares while they wait for the Tea Master to lead them to the Tea House. You are invited to wait here several moments. Notice the square window to the east and the round window to the west. These encourage you to look at the world in different ways/perspectives. Gaze upon the weeping spruce directly in front of the Waiting Bench. This tree is original to the Garden. Weeping spruce are believed to grow more beautiful and interesting with age, which Japanese culture believes holds true for people too.
